Definition of put-downnext

put down

2 of 2

verb

1
2
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
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

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
Noun
The series combines potty-mouthed put-downs with more sentimental story lines. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2026 Sadly, that period ended with the closure of newspapers, the violent put-down of protests and the arrest of more than a thousand along with many deaths. Alissa Simon, Variety, 16 May 2026
Verb
Following her divorce, Frankie decides to put down roots in a glamorous London neighborhood, just her and her cat Blue. Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 Born between 1981 and 1996, millennials may be a generation strongly associated with a love of travel, but many of them are now looking to put down roots. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for put-down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for put-down
Noun
  • There’s blood and insults and exasperation and pain and horror.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The amendment aims to prevent players from hiding insults or other abuse — including discriminatory remarks — behind their hand, arm or jersey.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The company has continued to push back on criticism by offering law enforcement advice on how to counter public pressure at city council meetings, noted Torin Monahan, a professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The European Court of Human ​Rights ruled in 2014 that Hungary had sacked Baka for criticism ​of the ⁠government and that his removal did damage to democratic freedoms in Hungary.
    Reuters, NBC news, 8 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • But by the time of his indictment, Lorch was in failing health and found incompetent to stand trial, and lawsuits against him and the church were dismissed due to statute of limitations issues.
    Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The lawsuit was dismissed Monday without prejudice, meaning the case may be filed again.
    Riley Moser, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • In June, one content creator recorded a relatively empty Disneyland while noting the absent daytime crowd.
    Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Some 1,017 wildfires have been recorded in England and Wales this year, according to data from the National Fire Chiefs Council, the same as last year’s record-breaking total.
    ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Despite the help from aircraft, law enforcement could not locate the suspects after searching all of the rail cars investigators believed the burglars entered.
    Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The Red Sox lost their fourth consecutive game, 5-3, after entering the losing streak without back-to-back losses since July 1 and without three or more straight losses since mid-June.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Reading it immediately quells, or at least quelled my own, paranoia at being alone in the middle of the forest—nobody is getting got here, there’s a gate that only opens if the concierge approves of your face, voice, and name.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026
  • There have been several protests by refugees living in Nepal where police have been used to quell them.
    ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Conventional wisdom usually attributes those failures to changing markets, disruptive competitors, or poor leadership.
    Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The developer attributed the 42% dip in new sales to fewer launches compared to last year.
    Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The barrage has caused fuel shortages in Russia, eaten into Russian refining capacity, and unsettled the Russian public.
    ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Then Green, his wife and Beloozerov spent the next several days planning their trip and eating meals Beloozerov paid for in cash pulled from a pouch around his neck stocked with $100, $50 and $2 bills.
    Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Put-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/put-down. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster