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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to record
to make a written note of
we had the whole agreement put down on paper
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of put-down
Laurie Kellman, Twin Cities, 23 Sep. 2025
Lynch was a no-nonsense character for many years on UK soap opera Coronation Street, who favoured animal-print clothing and withering put-downs).
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 24 Aug. 2025
Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
The filmmakers’ delight with the nomination was tempered by alarm over the current situation in Iran, where the government has used deadly force to put down recent street protests – killing more than 3,000 demonstrators.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for put-down
Noun
He’s got a special playbook for female opponents that includes put-downs about their appearance, their emotional stability and their intelligence.
—Laurie Kellman, Twin Cities, 23 Sep. 2025
Lynch was a no-nonsense character for many years on UK soap opera Coronation Street, who favoured animal-print clothing and withering put-downs).
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 24 Aug. 2025
Verb
The resolution called for the release of those detained and urged the European Council to designate Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, which was key in putting down the nationwide protests, as a terrorist organization.
—Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
The filmmakers’ delight with the nomination was tempered by alarm over the current situation in Iran, where the government has used deadly force to put down recent street protests – killing more than 3,000 demonstrators.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for put-down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for put-down
Noun
-
Apparently, my father approached the people hurling the insults and asked them to stop.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The president also called Walz and Frey himself Monday after weeks of hurling insults and accusing the Democratic officials of inciting resistance to the crackdown.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee, Walz abandoned his campaign for a third term this month amid criticism over mismanagement of taxpayer funding for child care programs.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Continue reading … ‘NEVER AGAIN’ – Tim Walz to end political career amid fraud scandal and party criticism.—
,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
However, a White House official dismissed speculation.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Continue reading … LEGAL LOOPHOLE – Luigi Mangione returns to court as judge weighs defense motion to dismiss death penalty charge.—
,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Agents detained one observer as others blew whistles, yelled at them, and recorded video on their phones.—
Yahya Abou-Ghazala,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The alumni recorded a 6-0 win in that inaugural scrimmage against the current players.—
Danny Davis,
Austin American Statesman,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison shared a legal opinion on 287(g) agreements in December, calling into question the agreements sheriffs have signed, saying only county commissioners can enter into the agreements.—
Jennifer Mayerle,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The Comets had entered the fourth quarter trailing 6-5 before a pair of Wave goals to open the final quarter created a three-goal deficit.—
Nathan Dunn,
Kansas City Star,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Police issued an update Wednesday to quell rumors about the circumstances of the accident.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The Islamic Republic launched a security crackdown earlier this month to quell protests, leaving thousands dead.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The tastemakers erroneously attributed luxury to those characteristics.—
Adam Ismail,
The Drive,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Krishnamurthy attributes the lack of new, consistently successful faces in rap partly to a lack of industry investment.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Iyo went for the Over the Moonsault but ate Roxy’s feet.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Another idea is that the rhythm causes brief fluctuations in alertness, allowing sleeping animals to periodically check their surroundings and reduce the risk of being eaten.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Put-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/put-down. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
