1
as in to throw (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 to exaggerate
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 to pretend
to present a false appearance of
put on a show of anger just for fun
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in mock
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
a put-on goofy voice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in pretense
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in parody
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
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Recent Examples of put on
Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 21 Feb. 2025
Listen to this article Hundreds of vacant lots in Chicago, many in South and West side neighborhoods such as Englewood and North Lawndale, have been put on the market in the largest such land sale the city has seen in recent years.
—Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025
Megan McArdle, Washington Post, 15 July 2024
An artist on the court and a put-on artist off, Walton was an all-time great basketball player, the world’s tallest Grateful Dead groupie, a philosopher, hyperbolic orator and comedian.
—Bob Raissman, New York Daily News, 1 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for put on
Verb
In addition to putting on bursts of speed up to 40 mph, some bears can sustain speeds of 20 mph or more for miles.
—Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 21 Feb. 2025
Listen to this article Hundreds of vacant lots in Chicago, many in South and West side neighborhoods such as Englewood and North Lawndale, have been put on the market in the largest such land sale the city has seen in recent years.
—Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
The counterargument is that the persona is a put-on — that the real Vance is the guy who wanted the establishment to just be 15 percent less out of touch, and that if Trump exits the scene, that guy is the one who will actually govern.
—Megan McArdle, Washington Post, 15 July 2024
An artist on the court and a put-on artist off, Walton was an all-time great basketball player, the world’s tallest Grateful Dead groupie, a philosopher, hyperbolic orator and comedian.
—Bob Raissman, New York Daily News, 1 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for put on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for put on
Verb
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Distorted and exaggerated by Weegee’s hand—with grins set in a chilling rictus, or eyes and noses spread wide and pancaked—these idols became monsters.—
Naomi Fry,
The New Yorker,
22 Feb. 2025
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Moral panics are created when politicians exaggerate a public concern to manipulate real fears people may have.—
Brittany Friedman,
The Conversation,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Too many leaders pretend to listen, nodding along in meetings but failing to take action.—
Mark Murphy,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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Pride, drama, politics There’s no point in pretending AFCON is perfect.—
Phil Hay,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The Athletic's college football reporters conducted a mock draft, which had the Titans taking Miami quarterback Cam Ward.—
Nate Rau,
Axios,
26 Feb. 2025
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There already have been a deluge of mock drafts and prospect rankings.—
Jim Reineking,
USA TODAY,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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These are typically hogwash for multiple reasons, not least of which is the combination of ideological bias with the pretense of ideological neutrality.—
Dan McLaughlin,
National Review,
18 Feb. 2025
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Instead, these conflicts were entered into under the pretense of strengthening national security or spreading democracy.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The user’s viral review sparked parodies across the app with user @Nathanwituk poking fun at the original poster in a Feb. 23 video.—
Paloma Chavez,
Sacramento Bee,
24 Feb. 2025
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Additionally, disco offered a framework for instrumentalists to play around with, as well as characteristics that cannot be boiled down to logic: there can also be affective reasons, regardless of whether the intent is irony, camp, parody, or the expression of genuine sentiment.—
Angelica Frey,
JSTOR Daily,
23 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Next up, actress Ruth Negga donned a Diotima look from the brand’s recent presentation at New York Fashion Week styled by Karla Welch.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
27 Feb. 2025
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Along with her Mother Denim blue jeans and the protective wear the Duchess of Sussex dons for the moment, Markle wears a pair of Le Chameau boots.—
Julia Teti,
WWD,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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This fake news gave white authorities the pretense to quash Black organizing and control Black labor.—
Christmaelle Vernet & Kathy Roberts Forde / Made by History,
TIME,
28 Feb. 2025
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Call scams have been making headlines recently, fueled by the rise in AI threats and urgent but fake banking and technical support calls that push users to install software or transfer money.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Casa Loewe’s golden facade brightens the Jing’an Kerry Center commercial district.—
WWD,
WWD,
28 Feb. 2025
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This will feature lots of natural light thanks to the skylights already mentioned, plus a transparent facade made up of aluminum and glass, with glazed louvers.—
Adam Williams,
New Atlas,
27 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to put on
Cite this Entry
“Put on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/put%20on. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
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