1
as in insult
an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings
new hires always have to deal with put-downs and practical jokes from the older employees
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in criticism
the act of making a person or a thing seem little or unimportant
your never-ending put-down of my musical talents is really starting to annoy me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to dismiss
to express scornfully one's low opinion of
he has the annoying habit of putting down others under the guise of offering constructive criticism
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to record
to make a written note of
we had the whole agreement put down on paper
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to enter
to put (someone or something) on a list
put her down as one of the chaperones for the field trip
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to quell
to put a stop to (something) by the use of force
a tyrant who ruthlessly put down uprisings
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to attribute
to explain (something) as being the result of something else
a fender bender that probably can be put down to the young driver's inexperience
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in to eat
to take in as food
the husky youngster seemed to put down her own weight in food at one sitting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of put-down
David Remnick, New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2025
And the jubilation likely expressed in Moscow over Washington’s put-downs of Europe is reminiscent of the glee over Trump and Vance’s public scolding of Zelensky in the Oval Office later that month.
—Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 9 Dec. 2025
Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
While putting down traffic cones at the scene, authorities say a motorcycle driver traveling at a high rate of speed lost control and was ejected from his vehicle.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for put-down
Noun
One day, a historian will win a contract to assemble the collected quotations of the forty-fifth and forty-seventh President—all the press-room rants, the Oval Office put-downs, the 3 A.M. Truth Social fever dreams.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2025
And the jubilation likely expressed in Moscow over Washington’s put-downs of Europe is reminiscent of the glee over Trump and Vance’s public scolding of Zelensky in the Oval Office later that month.
—Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 9 Dec. 2025
Verb
Unlike my nomadic parents, who moved every few years, Channing’s family had settled in this town with a large Korean community and put down roots.
—Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
While putting down traffic cones at the scene, authorities say a motorcycle driver traveling at a high rate of speed lost control and was ejected from his vehicle.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for put-down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for put-down
Noun
-
The other guys are on their feet, trying to break it up, someone is calling someone else a loser, there are swings and kicks and insults, men grabbing at other men, trying to restrain them and busting the restraints.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
6 May 2026
-
After discussion with my editors, ProPublica decided to note the insults in the story.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Bovino, who led much of the immigration enforcement operation in Chicago and the suburbs, as well as in Minnesota before retiring this year amid criticism, declined to appear before the commission.—
Olivia Olander,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
The Irish comedy writer has become better known for his assertion that trans women are men and criticism of trans activism, expressed in often vituperative social media posts.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Then in September, Newsom's Legal Affairs Secretary David Sapp sent an email to JUSD administrators on what appeared to include a copy of the state's motion to dismiss that lawsuit, as seen in public records obtained by Fox News Digital.—
Jackson Thompson OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
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Curiel also declined to dismiss causes of action against three of the deputy’s supervisors, who are accused of knowing the female deputy failed to return to the scene and had dissuaded Quinones from providing assistance.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Senior Cole Denton, senior Matteo Moran, senior Jack Stula, senior Xander Gerard and sophomore Cooper Crone each recorded two goals apiece.—
Alex Kushel,
Sun Sentinel,
2 May 2026
-
With Philadelphia applying pressure, Winn shattered Trea Turner’s bat to induce a 5-4-3 double play, recording the first two outs of the inning.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The Sox trailed 3-1 entering the seventh inning on Sunday.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
-
Mira entered the middle of the circle, pirouetting and curtsying, kicking her leg above her head.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Abreu quelled the inning, however, striking out Dylan Beavers and Coby Mayo swinging at sliders.—
Matt Kawahara,
Houston Chronicle,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Everything is going according to plan so far with the launch of the Democratic Church of America; civil unrest is sure to follow, but the Seven should be able to quell any issues by recalling the supes overseas.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The children’s books, which largely attribute poverty in Vietnam to its communist government, also simplify history to play up communist aggression in the civil war—while omitting the extensive role that the United States military played in the conflict.—
H.M.A. Leow,
JSTOR Daily,
7 May 2026
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According to the complaint, detectives attributed statements to Hardin suggesting the killing was part of a ritual, despite no independent evidence to support that claim.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Sign up for The Eat Index, our weekly food newsletter, and find out where to eat and get the latest restaurant happenings in Orange County.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
2 May 2026
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Reservations in the restaurant are limited to younger guests who are able to sit on regular chairs and can eat the same menu as adults.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Put-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/put-down. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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