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
Examples 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
Caroline Frost, Deadline, 23 June 2024
Who knows how her shtick will go down the second season, but one thing is certain: Her quips and put-downs against the rest of the cast will surely be entertaining.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 11 Jan. 2024
Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2024
Investigators continue to search for the electric bike the suspect rode the day of the shooting and are examining whether the shooter used a veterinary gun, a larger firearm used on farms and ranches to put down animals without causing a loud noise, Kenny said Friday.
—Gloria Pazmino, CNN, 8 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for put-down 
Noun
Jerry Seinfeld is working through his range of heckler put-downs after he was interrupted once more during his stand-up show in Australia on Saturday evening.
—Caroline Frost, Deadline, 23 June 2024
Who knows how her shtick will go down the second season, but one thing is certain: Her quips and put-downs against the rest of the cast will surely be entertaining.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 11 Jan. 2024
Verb
Assad notoriously used chemical weapons on his own people to put down rebellion and dissent.
—Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2024
Investigators continue to search for the electric bike the suspect rode the day of the shooting and are examining whether the shooter used a veterinary gun, a larger firearm used on farms and ranches to put down animals without causing a loud noise, Kenny said Friday.
—Gloria Pazmino, CNN, 8 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for put-down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for put-down
Noun
-
High-profile individuals across different industries are generally more known and more easily recognizable through the internet and social media, and in turn bear the brunt of insults, attacks and sometimes threats.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
-
The rapid-fire dialogue between Phil and Connie (played perfectly by McCarthy) is the main draw here, as their exchanges are laced with great insults and hilarious banter.Travis Bean, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Some Israelis demand cease-fire deal, return of hostages Netanyahu faces mounting pressure and criticism from Israelis frustrated with the lack of a cease-fire deal to secure the release of the around 100 remaining hostages in Gaza as the war has raged for more than a year.Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
-
UnitedHealthcare, similar to other big insurers, has faced lawsuits and criticism from regulators, lawmakers and patients alike over allegedly denying claims to maximize their profits.Annika Kim Constantino,Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The case was previously scheduled to go to trial in August 2025, but is now expected to be dismissed.Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 14 Dec. 2024
-
The Pentagon did not respond to a request for comment before this report published, but in a speech at West Point in early December, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin dismissed the idea that women should not be in combat roles.James LaPorta, CBS News, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
On the defensive end, Hunter recorded a 90.9 coverage grade, which is third among all corners in the county compared to PFF.Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
-
However, Vale recorded the highest iron ore production since 2018.Trefis Team, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Adults, via pantomime theater with its madcap themes and nursery archetypes, could receive permission to enter these states as well.The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 18 Dec. 2024
-
Nissan and Honda are planning to enter into negotiations for a merger, Japanese business newspaper Nikkei reported overnight, citing sources close to the matter and noting that the domestic peers expected to sign a memorandum of understanding shortly.Sam Meredith, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
In June 2020, Willis demanded that Trump stop using Village People's music after the then-president threatened military action to quell protests following the police killing of George Floyd.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
-
And in case anyone thinks its suppressions are the stuff of the past, the emergence of far-right leaders around the Western world in the past few years quickly quells the fantasy.Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Wildfires are becoming more frequent in the American West, a sad fact that can be attributed to climate change for the most part.Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 19 Dec. 2024
-
Shortly after her arrest, Huger attributed the accident to grief and her mother’s 2017 death.Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Eating it: Some folks spoon directly into their mouths.Ann Maloney, NOLA.com, 19 July 2017
-
New this year to True Nature is a retreat for those with eating disorders and their family members.Plain Dealer guest writer, cleveland.com, 19 July 2017
Thesaurus Entries Near put-down
Cite this Entry
“Put-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/put-down. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share