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
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
19 June 2026
The ballads, though, are where the trumpeter puts on his Harmon mute and things turn magical.
—
Natalie Weiner,
Pitchfork,
19 June 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
Unlike many other awards shows, TCA doesn’t charge submission fees (which is how most of the smaller organizations are still able to put on a show).
—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
19 June 2026
The ballads, though, are where the trumpeter puts on his Harmon mute and things turn magical.
—
Natalie Weiner,
Pitchfork,
19 June 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
-
When Gable underwent shoulder surgery in the summer of 2025, he was replaced temporarily by Ludwig Kaiser, who donned the El Grande Americano mask and gimmick.
-
The Revolution’s game against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs was to have marked the team’s 11th annual Pride Night, but players refused to don special jerseys that had rainbow sleeves.
Verb
-
The four-time Olympian was not exaggerating.
-
Many of the studies exaggerate the amount in human organs, the European officials concluded.
Verb
-
Aegon, reeling from his brother’s betrayal and, likely, the early stages of opiate withdrawal, refuses to pledge (pretend) fealty to the Blacks and so Larys reveals Aegon’s identity.
-
But for a little while in Pinehurst, a room full of journalists and a parking lot full of golf fans agreed to pretend otherwise.
Adjective
-
After a season of travel, video and phone calls and texts speaking with agents, scouts, coaches, family members and those around these players, here is my final mock draft for the 2026 NHL Draft.
-
The mock-neck adds a chic touch, and the color selection is genuinely impressive.
Noun
-
Fernando Navarro, 53, of Minneapolis, is facing four counts of felony fraud for collecting nearly $70,000 in funds from Minnesota's medical assistance program under false pretenses.
-
Parliament was self-destructively arrogant in declining the colonies any vote or even much pretense of a say.
Noun
-
Their outmoded style, with its seriousness and corniness, its big acting choices and low budgets, is basically impossible to recreate without falling into parody.
-
Frankie stars in the musical comedy, a parody of the 1997 blockbuster Titanic set to a score of songs by Céline Dion.
Verb
-
In Monday’s annual Homeowners Association board election, president Karl de Borbon is running for a ninth consecutive term against opponents who accuse him of rigging last year’s election and a June 8 vote for a swimming pool deck refurbishment project and a bylaw amendment.
-
Backed by just a DJ (Dazedgxd, who opened the set) and a retina-scorching light rig up front, Jane acknowledged on Thursday that the stakes were getting much higher.
Verb
-
But there’s no way to simulate all the variables of real life, particularly the weather.
-
Instead of developing multiple aircraft designs or conducting thousands of expensive flight tests, engineers can simulate those scenarios digitally and rapidly iterate on designs.
Cite this Entry
“Put on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/put%20on. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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