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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of put on
Allen Salkin, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2025
At Unity, much of the design is done ahead of time, before the house’s walls, windows and doors are assembled inside the company’s Keene, New Hampshire, factory, then wrapped tightly in reusable plastic and put on a truck bed.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 20 June 2025
Rachel Flynn, People.com, 3 Dec. 2024
Also, Burgess is British IRL, so props to him for faking a bad accent, then using a put-on American one for the rest of the episode.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 29 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for put on
Verb
Pretty much anyone who can raise a few thousand dollars can put on a show, most of which are under an hour.
—Allen Salkin, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2025
At Unity, much of the design is done ahead of time, before the house’s walls, windows and doors are assembled inside the company’s Keene, New Hampshire, factory, then wrapped tightly in reusable plastic and put on a truck bed.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 20 June 2025
Adjective
Turns out, dat good ole dialect is a put-on: James speaks like a professor.
—Rachel Flynn, People.com, 3 Dec. 2024
Also, Burgess is British IRL, so props to him for faking a bad accent, then using a put-on American one for the rest of the episode.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 29 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for put on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for put on
Verb
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Second, the extent of the controversies has often been exaggerated: a handful of Trump supporters have stuck their heads above the parapet, the media have sniffed drama and written up stories about friction, and nothing has ultimately changed.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
27 June 2025
-
One has been associated with a group that exaggerates the rare risks and harms of vaccines while casting doubt on their benefits.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
25 June 2025
Verb
-
Have you ever been contacted by someone pretending to be Elon Musk?—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
26 June 2025
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The show then cut over to a Good Morning America clip that sees Haines pretend to faint when the superhero swings into frame.—
Emlyn Travis Published,
EW.com,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
Most analysts agree that Michael Misa, C, will be the No. 2 overall selection, but from pick No. 3 onward, mock drafts diverge sharply.—
Giovanni Malloy,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
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Undersized at 6-foot-2, but a strong and explosive 215 pounds, Martin’s role in the Gators’ national championship success along with strong workouts for NBA teams placed him in the second round of many mock drafts.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 June 2025
Noun
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The federal indictment alleges that Combs and his associates lured two of the women under the pretense of a romantic relationship.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2025
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Theft by false pretenses: A Saratoga resident said someone convinced them to sign a property deed in lieu of foreclosure to avoid filing for bankruptcy.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
The unserious image conveys how much the drama has become a parody of itself.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
27 June 2025
-
When Israel launched its full-scale war against Iran on June 13, the jingoistic Beach Boys parody once again began to make the rounds.—
Hershal Pandya,
Vulture,
25 June 2025
Verb
-
The jersey is one of the heaviest in soccer, after previously being donned by the likes of generational greats and club icons such as Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
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His body will soon don unusual costumes for his drag persona, which seduces with looks that highlight his silhouette.—
Billboard Brasil,
Billboard,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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Avoiding secondary scams Marilyn’s story also highlights a second danger of fake support numbers and remote access scams.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
29 June 2025
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Already, misinformation campaigns and fake news challenge our ability to discern truth.—
Sahar Hashmi,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
Noun
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Inspired by the lines and craftsmanship of the original arcades, its bold geometric facade and sweeping interiors host a John Lewis department store, serving as a modern counterpart to the grandeur of its Victorian neighbor.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
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Prioritize window placement early by considering exterior style, symmetry, and scale to ensure the facade feels balanced and visually pleasing.—
Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin,
Southern Living,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Put on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/put%20on. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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