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
Escher Walcott, People.com, 13 July 2025
But Trump has personally appeared sensitive to the pressure this puts on some employers as well.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 12 July 2025
Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2025
Is his tendency to scorn sentimentality on sight a put-on or a character flaw?
—Rhoda Feng, Vulture, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for put on
Verb
Moulin, Moufang and eight others were eventually detained on suspicion of producing toxic and harmful food, while two others, whose identities have not been made public, were put on bail pending trial, CCTV News reported.
—Escher Walcott, People.com, 13 July 2025
But Trump has personally appeared sensitive to the pressure this puts on some employers as well.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 12 July 2025
Adjective
What’s more is that their sense of humor doesn’t seem to be any kind of put-on.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2025
Is his tendency to scorn sentimentality on sight a put-on or a character flaw?
—Rhoda Feng, Vulture, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for put on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for put on
Verb
-
This is one of many lawsuits against Tesla that question the safety of the company's driver-assistance systems, and accuse the company of exaggerating their capabilities.—
Joel Rose,
NPR,
14 July 2025
-
Defenders of the current administration highlight economic policies and argue that media narratives exaggerate constitutional threats while underestimating policy achievements in areas like deregulation and fiscal restraint[1][5].—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 July 2025
Verb
-
Dad is the one who's going to pretend to be a predator stalking the child and pretending to be a big, scary monster.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
22 July 2025
-
Upon spotting himself on the big screen, Cohen immediately reached over and pretended to make out with a shocked Cooper.—
Emlyn Travis Published,
EW.com,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
In a recent mock draft, Baseball America speculated the Sox would select Florida State left-hander Jamie Arnold if the run on prep shortstops left him on the board.—
Phil Rogers,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
-
This time, he was invited to continue in the selection process, which included another test over Zoom with about 30 other hopeful applicants, a personality interview and a virtual mock game.—
Nour Rahal,
Freep.com,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
But his heart remained on the South Side, where fans appreciated him for his workmanlike approach, his quick pace and a lack of pretense.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
11 July 2025
-
The federal indictment alleged that Combs and his associates lured female victims, often under the pretense of a romantic relationship.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
Fittingly, Yankovic and Miranda pulled together a parody of the viral Coldplay Cheating Camera with some help from Colbert’s late-night peers.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
22 July 2025
-
Colbert soon developed a character for himself, a parody of conservative political pundits loosely based on Bill O'Reilly, then on Fox News.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
19 July 2025
Verb
-
Charli xcx wore a silk, off-the-shoulder Vivienne Westwood dress and tulle veil, while Daniel donned a double-breasted suit.—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
21 July 2025
-
His motivation for donning the slicker and hook of the killer who twice tormented him is a bit muddled.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
17 July 2025
Adjective
-
There’s a massive global scam operation that uses real payment methods on fake checkout pages.—
Kim Komando The Kim Komando Show,
FOXNews.com,
12 July 2025
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Additional increases in the quantity and quality of weapons sent to Ukraine would underpin that message and would have a better chance than anything else of persuading Putin to replace fake negotiations with the real thing.—
The Editors,
National Review,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
The narrow cobblestone street cuts through the city’s Old Town toward the waterfront and abuts the eastern facade of Diocletian’s Palace, an ancient Roman fortress built about 1,700 years ago.—
Aspen Pflughoeft
July 9,
Miami Herald,
9 July 2025
-
After arriving, fire crews reported that parts of the facade and some of the parapet separated from the parking garage, sending bricks crashing to the sidewalk and street below, Nolan said.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Put on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/put%20on. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
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