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
Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2026
Though the lease took effect on July 1, 2025, work to convert the space had to be put on hold because Yahya Korin, the property’s owner, was out of the country.
—Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2026
Talie Smith, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
With access to troves of archival footage, Braverman shows Kaufman transforming the very nature of comedy by launching the put-on into existential extremes.
—Sheldon Pearce, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for put on
Verb
Nobody puts on the musicals anymore.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2026
Though the lease took effect on July 1, 2025, work to convert the space had to be put on hold because Yahya Korin, the property’s owner, was out of the country.
—Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
The most earnest-sounding campaign can feel like a put-on.
—Talie Smith, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
With access to troves of archival footage, Braverman shows Kaufman transforming the very nature of comedy by launching the put-on into existential extremes.
—Sheldon Pearce, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for put on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for put on
Verb
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Dondero is among many Tesla customers accusing the Austin automaker of exaggerating its vehicles’ range.—
Andrea Guzmán,
Austin American Statesman,
16 Mar. 2026
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The lack of chemistry between the couple is exaggerated by Segel’s blasé performance, made all the more expressionless by Weaving’s naturally expressive face.—
Katie Rife,
IndieWire,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Jen has been complaining to Zac that Whitney only pretends to be her friend on camera.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The hypocrite pretends to be good because the hypocrite believes that society admires good and condemns wrong.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This mock draft has edge rushers off the board with the second, third and fourth selections.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Fast forward through a remote interview, an in-person interview and a mock assignment, and Manaois had landed the job.—
Sarah Jackson,
CNBC,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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So, since October 7th, there has not been even a pretense of a buffer between the violent settlers and the Army.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
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With most of the master’s level degrees, any pretense of value beyond rendering the prospective students more salable in the workforce is often dispensed with entirely.—
James Cramer,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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How did Jane Lynch wind up in the YouTube ad parodies?—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
16 Mar. 2026
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People can appreciate a Marx Brothers movie like Duck Soup, which is a parody of war and a musical.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As someone who played in front of patrons donning tuxedos and evening gowns, Dell Curry knows a thing or two about crowds.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Mar. 2026
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The video showed the teenager donning a black tactical vest, black boots, and a black hat.—
Natalie Eilbert,
jsonline.com,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The difference between a real deadline, imposed for legitimate reasons from without, and a fake one, conjured from within, is like the difference between eating brunch and seeing it on Instagram.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
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Later, O’Brien touted a fake company tasked with reformatting movies for smaller and smaller handheld devices, but the joke missed the mark.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Via Mormino Penna is one of Sicily’s most theatrical streetscapes, lined with facades adorned with apotropaic masks, grotesque faces meant to ward off evil.—
Jenn Rice,
Vogue,
18 Mar. 2026
-
For a long time, the property gleamed in the daylight with its white, ornate facade against lush green landscaping and often at night, as well, with twinkling holiday lights attached to almost every surface.—
Heather McRea,
Oc Register,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Put on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/put%20on. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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