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
Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2026
But this time of year, that's not the product the NBA is putting on the court.
—Keith Romer, NPR, 6 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
The Yankee Ferry was put on the real estate market last summer.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2026
But this time of year, that's not the product the NBA is putting on the court.
—Keith Romer, NPR, 6 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
-
With not a lot of airtime to transition her protagonist from reasonable to out of touch with reality, Jonas relegated much of her character’s contemplative qualities to the asides and exaggerated her more base characteristics by adding in some reckless behavior.—
Elaina Patton,
IndieWire,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Some health experts have said that, while there has been evidence of fraud, the concerns have been exaggerated.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
City Hall needs to stop pretending the job is getting done and just do it.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Scammers are sending emails to residents involved in planning, zoning or land-use applications pretending to be Forest Lake city planning and zoning staff members, the city said Friday.—
Kristi Miller,
Twin Cities,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The video was a standout moment alongside the romantic ballad, though, as Bruno picked up the guitar and delivered on the Latin love story with a mock wedding — and pulled on the heartstrings with a relationship that just about everyone would sign up to grow old for.—
Eric Renner Brown,
Billboard,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The Wildcats feature potential first-round picks in freshmen Brayden Burries and Koa Peat, with Motiejus Krivas mentioned in some mock drafts.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This shocking cowardice and sheer abandonment of any pretense of ethics or values are rendered even more shameful when considering that Noem was brought down by polls, likely more than anything else.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
-
What is beauty if not precisely the property that provokes us to abandon all pretense of analytic remove in our desperation to draw closer?—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Countless memes and parodies have circulated online.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The Hollywood parody has one-liners and sight gags for days with every bit zanier and more elaborate than the one before.—
Rachel Simon,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Following in the tradition of wives of the current Prince of Wales wearing the brooch, Kate Middleton donned the piece for the first time in November 2022.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Boots Riley donned his signature tall hat as part of a black-and-white ensemble.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
If filmmakers can prompt fake actors to deliver precise performances, where does that leave human actors?—
Holly Willis,
The Conversation,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The 18-minute fake pitch meeting!—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The façade recalls traditional earthen walls and is studded with tile fragments and artifacts unearthed during construction.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
-
While this might create a show-stopping facade, bigger isn’t always better.—
Kristine Gill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Put on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/put%20on. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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