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
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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
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
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Recent Examples of put-down
Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 16 May 2025
The perfect vague yet totally true aphorism to throw at any put-down.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 31 Jan. 2025
Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 29 Aug. 2025
The Soviets have put down a rebellion against the puppet government that ruled in Budapest and are now in the process of picking off the politicians, students, and general who had led it.
—Adam Solomons, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for put-down
Noun
And playing him night after night…and then just those put-downs.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 16 May 2025
The perfect vague yet totally true aphorism to throw at any put-down.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 31 Jan. 2025
Verb
Below are some highlights… MANCHILD Lots of clever wordplay on the album’s lead single to put down a guy who’s about as sharp as a round ball.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 29 Aug. 2025
The Soviets have put down a rebellion against the puppet government that ruled in Budapest and are now in the process of picking off the politicians, students, and general who had led it.
—Adam Solomons, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for put-down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for put-down
Noun
-
Perhaps, like Elizabeth in the face of Darcy’s insult, Austen would also be prompted to spread spirited gossip about her heroine’s doubters and haters.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
-
When big gatherings of police and federal agents suddenly show up in residential areas, crowds often meet them with cell phone cameras, righteous indignation and insults.—
Daniel C. Vock,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Mourinho’s arrival at United was a response to some of the criticisms directed at his predecessor, Louis van Gaal.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
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Much of his criticism originates to when Elon Musk, a South African native, was a member of his administration.—
Emily Goodin,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The actor denied the allegations, and the case was later dismissed, per The Hollywood Reporter.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
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Those who dismissed intersectionality saw such policies as little more than allowing the disadvantaged to commit crimes without consequences to make up for past inequities, afflicting crime victims from the same disadvantaged communities.—
John Scott Lewinski,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The improvements came in the passing attack, with wideout Javen Nicholas recording a career-best 11 catches for 122 yards, coming just one shy of tying Austin Duke’s program reception record of 12.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Sep. 2025
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Chaminade alum Donta Simpson recorded two tackles including a split tackle for loss.—
Andre Fernandez,
Miami Herald,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Swift and Beyoncé entered the evening tied for the most-ever VMA awards.—
Toni Fitzgerald,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Texas State enters the top 50 after beating UTSA.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Zips are viewed as one of the worst teams in the FBS this season, and the debut game against Wyoming did nothing to quell those concerns.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Sep. 2025
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Trump has also repeatedly threatened to send in National Guard troops to assist the efforts and to help quell violent crime, which the president has tried to paint as out of control but in fact has been steadily decreasing in Chicago in recent years.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The college attributed increasing nonparticipating student counts to improved methods of tracking student participation.—
Edward McKinnon,
Arkansas Online,
4 Sep. 2025
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An incident report submitted to the state by Energy Transfer attributed the pipeline failure to a technician’s errors.—
ProPublica,
ProPublica,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In late March, a 3-year-old Leavenworth boy known as EJ fell asleep for the night on a neighbor’s couch after eating grapes.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
7 Sep. 2025
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To support your prostate health, focus on eating healthy fats, fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Put-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/put-down. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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