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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After both shows ended in 2014, Meyer focused on voice acting, lending his talents to SuperMansion (2015–2017), and Crossing Swords (2020).—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep. 2025 -
As fans scramble to catch the ball, footage shows, the ball appears to land one row in front of a woman while a man runs over and grabs it.—
Chandelis Duster,
NPR,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Today, Neeson is doing action spoofs (thank God), and even the John Wick series has run its course.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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They were arraigned on Friday in Brockton District Court on one count each of larceny over $1,200 by false pretenses, embezzlement, and conspiracy.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
22 Aug. 2025
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Since then, immigration raids have escalated — often under questionable pretenses.—
Sonia Banker,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Kaufman and Herz co-founded Troma Entertainment in 1974, which has produced or distributed more than 1,000 low-budget parodies in the past five decades, including the original Toxic Avenger movie in 1984.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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South Park, formerly the edgelord-iest of edgelord TV, continues to barrel through parodies of the current conservative Zeitgeist.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Bad actors can take on all kinds of guises—including pretending to be lawyers.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Today’s discerning consumers seek genuine stories, not polished facades.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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Using roll-to-roll nanoimprint lithography (NIL), the team has developed decorative films that allow photovoltaic (PV) modules to seamlessly blend into building facades without sacrificing efficiency.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Research shows the inability to cool down overnight poses a great risk to mother and baby.—
Jessica Meszaros,
Miami Herald,
3 Sep. 2025
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Rebecca Neumann, a researcher at the University of Washington who also took part in the comments, said the administration’s report fits in with the evolving arguments of those who minimize the threats climate change poses.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Viewers will get more context when the next episode airs Tuesday.—
David Wysong,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Sep. 2025
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The Young and the Restless airs weekdays on CBS (check local listings).—
Stephanie Wenger,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Put-ons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/put-ons. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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