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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 9 Dec. 2025
Because all those snarky memes and cheeky presidential put-downs won’t seem so funny if JD Vance is inaugurated in January 2029.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2025
Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 5 Apr. 2026
In other departments, the K-9 is either put down or given to another officer.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for put-down
Noun
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
Because all those snarky memes and cheeky presidential put-downs won’t seem so funny if JD Vance is inaugurated in January 2029.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2025
Verb
If only Van Hollen and others could put down their partisanship for just one moment and see the possibilities.
—Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 5 Apr. 2026
In other departments, the K-9 is either put down or given to another officer.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for put-down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for put-down
Noun
-
It’s usually intended as an insult.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Villanueva’s claim that deputy gangs don’t exist and have never existed is an insult to the public and to the deputies who have spoken out about their direct experience dealing with these gangs of criminal officers.—
Rafael Perez,
Daily News,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Verbeek’s trade with Philadelphia to acquire Gauthier in January 2024 has been widely praised, but his decision to ship center Trevor Zegras to the Flyers last summer has received criticism while Zegras thrives in Philadelphia.—
Greg Beacham,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The sheriff previously declined to honor certain federal immigration detainers, drawing criticism from state lawmakers and prompting legislative changes.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But in the motion to dismiss, McCallum said the shooter did not touch the railing.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The deal dismissed charges of first-degree murder, tampering with a human body, burglary and theft from his case.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
James also recorded the 12,000th assist of his career in the first half, becoming only the fourth NBA player to reach the milestone.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Alex Zaleta Rubio recorded the clean sheet for La Vega.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Motta entered, dressed in a black suit and Louboutin heels.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Painter entered to begin the third for his third big league appearance.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Such assurances are unlikely to quell the community’s decades-long experience with polluted runoff, however, and small farmers say that runoff could also present a food safety problem and threaten to set back years of organic farming practices.—
Thomas Heaton,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Speakers sought to quell those concerns.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In just a few months, her daughter has advanced two grades in reading and math, which Cone attributes to the school’s personalized curriculum.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Apr. 2026
-
In 2025, 38 individuals were accused of orchestrating a forgery ring spanning Italy, Spain, France, and Belgium, with links to the sale of counterfeit works attributed to leading artists of the 19th through 21st centuries.—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
My family spent many weekend mornings here, but during the pandemic, my husband and I would occasionally get fancy takeout food and cocktails and eat at one of the private picnic tables by the light of a camping lantern.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Hennessy said that eating too much of any nutrient risks causing unwanted side effects.—
Rich Bellis,
NBC news,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Put-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/put-down. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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