1
as in throwing (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 exaggerating
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 pretending
to present a false appearance of
put on a show of anger just for fun
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of putting on
Liam has spoken extensively about putting on the black leathers, contacts and the wig and that process of not becoming yourself.
—
Jordan Moreau, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
Indivisible is putting on No Kings with organizations including the ACLU, 50501, Planned Parenthood, the Sunrise Movement and various labor unions.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2025
Luca has a version American Psycho lined up, with Austin Butler reportedly putting on Patrick Bateman’s see-through raincoat.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2025
Fresh off the final workout some 24 hours before putting on his true uniform attire for the first time, Liam McNeeley appears calm on the exterior.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2025
Every single day, it's been a pleasure coming to work and putting on the orange and blue.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025
One of the most poignant memories Porter holds from Rosa’s funeral was their innocent son’s excitement about putting on his first suit.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2025
Last night saw a host of celebrities turn out for the fourth annual Kering Foundation Caring for Women dinner in New York City, putting on their most glamorous gowns.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2025
Classes were offered on serving in-fight refreshments and putting on make-up.
—Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Jordan Moreau, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
Indivisible is putting on No Kings with organizations including the ACLU, 50501, Planned Parenthood, the Sunrise Movement and various labor unions.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2025
Luca has a version American Psycho lined up, with Austin Butler reportedly putting on Patrick Bateman’s see-through raincoat.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2025
Fresh off the final workout some 24 hours before putting on his true uniform attire for the first time, Liam McNeeley appears calm on the exterior.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2025
Every single day, it's been a pleasure coming to work and putting on the orange and blue.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025
One of the most poignant memories Porter holds from Rosa’s funeral was their innocent son’s excitement about putting on his first suit.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2025
Last night saw a host of celebrities turn out for the fourth annual Kering Foundation Caring for Women dinner in New York City, putting on their most glamorous gowns.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2025
Classes were offered on serving in-fight refreshments and putting on make-up.
—Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for putting on
Verb
-
In the series, Gacy enjoyed talking about many of his accomplishments and exaggerating some of his stories.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Blumenthal apologized for exaggerating his military record in 2010 after an investigation by the New York Times.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Words like that carry generations of pain, and pretending otherwise only keeps the cycle going.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
-
People just pretending, and so on.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Demi Lovato, for instance, stunned at the 2025 LACMA Art + Film Gala held on November 1, 2025 — donning a strapless Salih Balta gown and six distinct, shoppable James Allen jewelry pieces (rings, necklace, tennis bracelet, and earrings included) that added to her princess-like aesthetic.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
6 Nov. 2025
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Offerman may have been snubbed for donning tiny hats and dancing on Parks and Recreation, but allowing the same thing to occur for Death by Lightning would be an equally egregious crime.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Lincoln Lab teams are currently using that creative power to fill gaps in weather data, spot anomalies in network traffic, and design new materials and medicines by simulating chemical interactions that would historically take months in a physical lab.—
Chelsea Haney
October 30,
New Atlas,
30 Oct. 2025
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China, the most dangerous party, has militarized the strait, launching large military drills simulating blockades of the island and daily incursions across the median line.—
STEPHEN WERTHEIM,
Foreign Affairs,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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With Kevin Gausman, José Berríos (assuming elbow health) and Trey Yesavage pencilled into starting spots next year, the Jays have at least two holes to fill.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
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Without context, you’d be forgiven for assuming that the Elena in question was not another author’s creation, but Messud’s own.—
Lily Meyer,
The Atlantic,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Putting on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/putting%20on. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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