1
as in to throw (on)
to place on one's person
I put on a coat and shoes to go outside
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to exaggerate
to describe or express in too strong terms
some critics are putting it on when they say it's the best comedy ever made
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to pretend
to present a false appearance of
put on a show of anger just for fun
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in mock
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
a put-on goofy voice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in pretense
a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive
my bravery was all a put-on—I was scared out of my wits
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in parody
a work that imitates and exaggerates another work for comic effect
for a moment, I couldn't tell if the commercial was serious or a deadpan put-on of ads by other insurance companies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of put on
Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 29 May 2026
And as time went by, LiPfe put on quite a show.
—Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 29 May 2026
Talie Smith, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
With access to troves of archival footage, Braverman shows Kaufman transforming the very nature of comedy by launching the put-on into existential extremes.
—Sheldon Pearce, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for put on
Verb
The measure, put on the ballot by the Board of Supervisors, asks voters to support a half-cent sales tax increase to help stave off the effects of federal cuts affecting county healthcare facilities, including the risk of some clinics and even hospitals closing.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 29 May 2026
And as time went by, LiPfe put on quite a show.
—Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 29 May 2026
Adjective
The most earnest-sounding campaign can feel like a put-on.
—Talie Smith, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
With access to troves of archival footage, Braverman shows Kaufman transforming the very nature of comedy by launching the put-on into existential extremes.
—Sheldon Pearce, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for put on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for put on
Verb
-
The companies, meanwhile, say opportunistic lawyers and public adjusters are playing to fears and driving up costs for everyone by exaggerating the risks and damage.—
Jason Henry,
Daily News,
31 May 2026
-
The upsell should accelerate or exaggerate the result, the downsell should preserve the win, the bump should be a no-brainer.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
To pretend that the Fed somehow escapes this absolute is not only false, but also a non sequitur.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
Two, people might pretend to be different characters or scenarios, which can add excitement.—
Noelle Harff,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Lewis oversaw workshops with school kids himself, traveling to schools in his free time, staging mock trials and handing out copies of legal documents, like the Constitution.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
31 May 2026
-
Each year, a different brother played Paddy, lying in the coffin, where he was roasted by a series of mock eulogies.—
Peter Hessler,
New Yorker,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Hosts like Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart, Jimmy Kimmel, John Oliver and Seth Meyers have all but abandoned any pretense of comedy in favor of yet another lecture on their ideological preferences.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
-
That had long been the perception behind the scenes and, once Newcastle’s Champions League exit was sealed at the Camp Nou in March, any public pretence to the contrary evaporated.—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The ebullient parody’s obvious antecedent is Airplane!—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
1 June 2026
-
Federal law protects certain uses of a celebrity’s image and likeness in cases involving parody, criticism, commentary and news reporting.—
Daryl Lim,
Fortune,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
The next day, still in shock, Coleman donned his teal short-suit and aviator cap.—
Veronique Greenwood,
Time,
29 May 2026
-
Dwayne Johnson is a confident guy and has donned any number of ridiculous guises during his Saturday Night Live hosting gigs over the years.—
Jesse Hassenger,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
In the show, shy Briar U music major Hannah Wells (Ella Bright) and cocky team captain Garrett Graham (Belmont Cameli) begin fake-dating to try to catch the attention of Hannah’s crush.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
28 May 2026
-
The schemes involve the use of fake court documents regarding false traffic and criminal infractions.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
David Nikel External work on the central tower has reached a major milestone, though work on other parts of the basilica, including the Glory façade, is expected to continue for years.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
-
Police and fire personnel were called to the gym on South Bowen Road and Park Row Drive in Pantego, where a sign blew off the building along with the front facade of the building.—
S.E. Jenkins,
CBS News,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Put on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/put%20on. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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