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
Abigail Wise, Outside, 13 Feb. 2026
In the special, the Muppets reunite at the Muppet Theater to put on a new iteration of their show.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Sheldon Pearce, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
But this isn’t what irks rage’s older detractors, who grew up loving Dr. Dre and knew the misogyny of 2001 was not the put-on some of the gun talk might’ve been.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for put on
Verb
But what’s emerged as more and more pressure is put on the science to determine decisions that affect culture, and livelihoods, and tradition, is that the science itself has become political.
—Abigail Wise, Outside, 13 Feb. 2026
In the special, the Muppets reunite at the Muppet Theater to put on a new iteration of their show.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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
But this isn’t what irks rage’s older detractors, who grew up loving Dr. Dre and knew the misogyny of 2001 was not the put-on some of the gun talk might’ve been.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for put on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for put on
Verb
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Companies are exaggerating their AI capabilities to raise their value and, in turn, creating a host of problems for executives and employees alike.—
Devika Rao,
TheWeek,
9 Feb. 2026
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But those spikes will be exaggerated by the power drain from expanding technologies like artificial intelligence and by government decarbonization policies such as those that promote electric vehicle use and electric home heating systems.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
By age 2, most kids know how to play pretend.—
Adithi Ramakrishnan,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Chris Kreider, winger, B+ Jacob Trouba, defenseman, B+ Both players were jettisoned by the New York Rangers, who sunk in the standings and have continued selling off after pretending as though their leadership group was the issue.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Pharmacy technician students practice compounding mock medications such as lip balms and creams.—
Wilborn P. Nobles III,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The oversized mock-neck sweater tucks chicly into the pencil-leg pants, primed for rolling at the hems and styling with chunky sneakers for long travel days.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This is not an e-bike; there are no pedals and, interestingly, no pretense of a bicycle categorization to blur regulatory lines.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Feb. 2026
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Wang faces four counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, one count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious injury, one count of kidnapping, and two counts of larceny over $1,200 by false pretense.—
Michelle Lee,
PEOPLE,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
From gritty political reality to absurdly cutting political commentary, tongue-in-cheek parody to touching, intimate drama (plus a moody adaptation of a Russian short story), voters have a wide selection from which to choose.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
But this Hooters location built a cult following through TikTok dances, parody skits and viral videos.—
Peter Burke,
FOXNews.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The ceremonial robes for the UK’s House of Lords feature ermine trim, and King Charles III donned a traditional red and ermine robe at his coronation.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Lana Del Rey modeled a romantic take on western fashion at the Ralph Lauren show on Tuesday, donning cowboy boots with a flowing white dress.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The agency allegedly used Bank of America accounts to lure young women with fake modeling offers, while financial records suggest the bank was aware of these suspicious connections, according to plaintiff’s claims.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Some guests got very into it—one adopted a fake British accent for the duration.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Underground work on the plaza is nearly complete and construction on the stairwells and brick facade for the parking garage is on track to be done by June 1, Brodigan said.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Feb. 2026
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Set the scene New Yorkers and return visitors will instantly recognize the nearly 40,000 plants cascading down the 18-story facade, breathing oxygen into the Midtown air.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Put on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/put%20on. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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