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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of put-down
Rory Doherty, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2025
This sneering put-down is even more bizarre than the swipe at Carter’s phantom operatic output.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
Jasmine Browley, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Stand Up to Cancer’s fundraising benefit show is putting down roots in Nashville for one night only.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for put-down
Noun
Future Saturday Night Live alum and Y2K director Kyle Mooney briefly donned the role popularized by world-class dramatic talent to echo and underline Holmes’s withering put-downs.
—Rory Doherty, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2025
This sneering put-down is even more bizarre than the swipe at Carter’s phantom operatic output.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
When Elgin Charles talks about the future of hairstyling, his voice carries the weight of four decades behind the chair — and the vision to ensure the craft thrives long after he’s put down his shears.
—Jasmine Browley, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Stand Up to Cancer’s fundraising benefit show is putting down roots in Nashville for one night only.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for put-down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for put-down
Noun
-
Several diss tracks followed, with the musicians hurling increasingly spiteful insults at each other relating to accusations of domestic abuse, exploitation and pedophilia.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Aug. 2025
-
According to a cell phone video, obtained through CAIR, the man shouted several Islamophobic insults, including insults attacking Islam and the Prophet Muhammad.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Two weeks after first pointing a firehose of blistering criticism at the Donald Trump administration, South Park is still going full bore against Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
YouTube and other social media platforms are cracking down on age verification measures after facing criticism that teens could circumvent their safeguards by signing up with a fake birthdate.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Boston Magazine reported that during her training she was ultimately dismissed for administering opiates without a doctor’s order and leaving her shift early.—
Christina Coulter,
People.com,
16 Aug. 2025
-
At Hall's request, the case was dismissed without prejudice.—
Evan Mealins,
The Tennessean,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Researchers recorded 19 species living around the rig in shallower waters of up to 16 feet, while a higher volume of fish were found between depths of 65 and 130 feet, according to the study.—
Lauren Liebhaber,
Miami Herald,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Fellow southpaw Bennett Sousa recorded the final out of Monday’s game and could be in line for higher-leverage chances if Hader is unavailable.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The Rooted Wisdom, founded by herbalist and educator Dara Pressley, is entering an exciting new chapter.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
-
To get the Inner Circle Fuel Day deal, customers must enter the phone number associated with their Inner Circle account at the gas pump or inside the store at checkout before their transaction.—
Marina Johnson,
The Courier-Journal,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Parents quelled first-day jitters and snapped photos to mark the start of the school year as thousands of Capistrano Unified School District students filled classrooms again after summer break.—
Heather McRea,
Oc Register,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Aikman, however, believed Switzer should have done more to quell it.—
Jason Jones,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
In the 22 months following the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas, 89 fatalities were attributed to malnutrition or starvation, mostly children and teens.—
Dawoud Abu Alkas,
USA Today,
23 Aug. 2025
-
As the government works to appeal the decision, state and federal officials are publicly attributing their loss in federal court to Williams, a veteran jurist appointed by former President Barack Obama.—
Ana Ceballos,
Miami Herald,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
This spot for soccer fans offers lots of pub fare to eat and drink.—
Liz Rothaus Bertrand,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 2025
-
The calls came while eating lunch, while lying in bed at night.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Put-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/put-down. Accessed 26 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share