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
Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2026
Our focus is on putting on a terrific tournament this summer that continues to make a positive impact in our community and shines a spotlight on all the great things happening in Detroit.
—Jack Springgate, CBS News, 27 Feb. 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 GoFundMe page that sprung up was temporarily put on hold as the crowdfunder’s trust and safety team reviewed the appeal to confirm proceeds would benefit Dane’s family.
—Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2026
Our focus is on putting on a terrific tournament this summer that continues to make a positive impact in our community and shines a spotlight on all the great things happening in Detroit.
—Jack Springgate, CBS News, 27 Feb. 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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Others say those concerns are being exaggerated so those residents can get their way.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Historically, some doctors have dismissed these differences as women exaggerating their pain or being unable to tolerate the same discomfort as men.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
There wouldn’t have been any point to our pretending not to be Jewish, because everybody thought of us as Jewish and that would never change.—
Nicholas Lemann,
New Yorker,
21 Feb. 2026
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Custom Curtains When Windows Misbehave Standard sizes pretend every window is the same height, width, and position.—
Maria Williams,
Ascend Agency,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Denver Post Broncos beat reporter Luca Evans also has McNeil-Warren coming to Denver in his mock draft.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
24 Feb. 2026
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An annual festival in Andorra drew condemnation from the country’s small Jewish community after an effigy bearing the Israeli flag was staged in a mock trial and then hung and shot.—
Grace Gilson,
Sun Sentinel,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Cluely might have deployed a few provocative stunts to raise millions of dollars for a service that didn’t really work and could barely be said to exist, but Donald Boat did away with even the pretense.—
Sam Kriss,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
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Ever the showman, Marty relishes ditching the pretense and his wardrobe onstage, embracing his competitive streak.—
Emma Fraser,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Their sly and winning songwriting deftly embraced more than a wink-wink, nudge-nudge of shrewd parody and unabashed social incorrectness.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
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Humphrey, determined to recreate the video as accurately as possible, worked with Southwest to film her parody on a real plane with the same flight attendant from the first video.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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After donning hats and shirts that commemorated their championship, the Bruins celebrated on the floor with cheers and pictures.—
Anthony Solorzano,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Willow donned a red gown for the occasion, while her mom shined in a strapless black dress.—
Emma Banks,
InStyle,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The outcome is sure to spark strong reactions from Arizona Republicans who advanced the 2022 changes and several GOP legislators successfully invoked the law to defend themselves as fake electors from criminal prosecution by Mayes.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
27 Feb. 2026
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Jonathan Holloway, founder of Pokémon card authentication and pre-grading company Validoe, told USA TODAY that fake cards are abundant in the market, so the authenticity of the cards should be ensured before grading, which often comes at a price.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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That starts at the facade, where stone and hardwood features pop against coral bark Japanese maple trees.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
25 Feb. 2026
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As for the space itself, the team chose to preserve the building and expand it by 1,500 square feet while keeping its facade intact.—
Sara Rosenthal,
Denver Post,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Put on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/put%20on. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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