1
as in insult
an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings
new hires always have to deal with put-downs and practical jokes from the older employees
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in criticism
the act of making a person or a thing seem little or unimportant
your never-ending put-down of my musical talents is really starting to annoy me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to dismiss
to express scornfully one's low opinion of
he has the annoying habit of putting down others under the guise of offering constructive criticism
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to record
to make a written note of
we had the whole agreement put down on paper
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3
as in to enter
to put (someone or something) on a list
put her down as one of the chaperones for the field trip
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to quell
to put a stop to (something) by the use of force
a tyrant who ruthlessly put down uprisings
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to attribute
to explain (something) as being the result of something else
a fender bender that probably can be put down to the young driver's inexperience
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6
as in to eat
to take in as food
the husky youngster seemed to put down her own weight in food at one sitting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of put-down
Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2025
The perfect vague yet totally true aphorism to throw at any put-down.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 31 Jan. 2025
Mike Klingaman, Baltimore Sun, 24 Apr. 2025
Those tech bros are getting serious about putting down roots in Washington, DC.
—Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for put-down
Noun
Ageism shows up, for example, in some commercials, with the cliched generational put-downs.
—Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2025
The perfect vague yet totally true aphorism to throw at any put-down.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 31 Jan. 2025
Verb
It was constructed in 1904 by Henry Perky, who, a decade earlier, invented the popular breakfast cereal that earned him fame and the means to put down roots in northern Baltimore County.
—Mike Klingaman, Baltimore Sun, 24 Apr. 2025
Those tech bros are getting serious about putting down roots in Washington, DC.
—Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for put-down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for put-down
Noun
-
The order is so blatant in its attempt to rewrite history that to call it Orwellian would be something of an insult to Big Brother.—
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Earbuds have become the pedestrian’s car stereo, a kind of acoustic Bubble Wrap shielding us from noise or chatter or insults and makes obsolete a once-fundamental New York experience: the casual interaction.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The move came after White House staffers lobbed criticism at comments made by Ruffin that were critical of the Trump administration.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
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Now-former Chairman Drew Kromer faced criticism and calls for resignation over a staffer’s departure and allegations the party neglected African American voters.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The charge was dismissed after Baldwin's attorneys alleged prosecutors had withheld evidence.—
Sharareh Drury,
People.com,
30 Apr. 2025
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With punching bags Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle in the frontcourt, the Wolves were dismissed as legitimate opponents for the mighty purple and gold.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
In the fifth inning, India recorded his 500th career hit against Astros starter Hayden Wesneski.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
26 Apr. 2025
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As the fireline is constructed, inspected or reinforced, mappers record those details to adjust the containment percentage.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
And that’s a parting advice from Anis to anyone looking to enter the space.—
Craig Lebrau,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
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Smith asked whether Netflix needs to enter a new line of business, like theme parks, to hit that target.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Those rumors were quelled a bit when Smith was traded for, but Las Vegas might still be making a play to land the star quarterback prospect.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
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The mind games that are typically part of every Miami game were quelled by Vancouver’s fearless play.—
Felipe Cardenas,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
European countries spent €17 million (over $19 million) annually on compensation for damage attributed to wolves, with France paying the largest amount of any country, but Finland paying the most per wolf.—
Olivia Ferrari,
Smithsonian Magazine,
24 Apr. 2025
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An experiment showed that participants rated identical research higher when attributed to men.—
Kim Elsesser,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This spot for soccer fans offers lots of pub fare to eat and drink.—
Liz Rothaus Bertrand,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 2025
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The calls came while eating lunch, while lying in bed at night.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Put-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/put-down. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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