1
as in shows
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in spoofs
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for put-ons
Noun
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The guild received a record number of submissions for its 13th annual celebration of outstanding creative visual contributions of location professionals in contemporary and period films and TV shows, along with commercials and film commissions from around the world.
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How have your previous live shows influenced the direction of this tour?
Noun
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But given the current box office sensations of Obsession and Backrooms, Tiddes certainly wishes the timing had allowed for spoofs of those horror movies.
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Based on the Apple TV series, the fizzy throwback spoofs Golden Age musicals, and follows an on-the-rocks couple who are trapped in a town where people sing and dance incessantly.
Noun
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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.
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However, according to Ryan, Hernandez was a fraud, allegedly seeking money under false pretenses.
Noun
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Tiddes gave props to Paramount’s marketing department, which created a string of memes and myriad parodies on social media to lead the masses to Scary Movie.
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Yankovic has recorded parodies of songs by Madonna, Michael Jackson, Nirvana, Queen, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Eminem and many others.
Noun
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Footballing success, in differing guises, came a long time ago.
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Opponents of affirmative action, who suspect that the process is still continuing under other guises, could seek to replicate the winning strategy of the Harvard and UNC cases, if testing data show large, unexplainable gaps in academic preparation among different student groups.
Noun
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With facades facing Seventh Avenue, 498 and 500 Seventh Avenue promised a future for America’s fashion capitol and over time, helped chart the success of Norman Norell, Bill Blass, Donna Karan and Ralph Lauren, among others.
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Decorative limestone and sandstone moldings adorned the building’s facades, while columns made from the same materials enhanced its splendor.
Noun
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The entire cast is part of an underground ballroom competition, going claw to claw in matchups that rank the best poses, death drops, outfits, name brands, and choreography.
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The choice Lind poses—wages and Social Security, or a capital stake—is a false one.
Noun
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Every World Cup match airs overnight, so the cost lands the next morning.
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The game airs on FOX, broadcast locally on WDAF (Channel 4).
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Cite this Entry
“Put-ons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/put-ons. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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