1
as in to throw (on)
to place on one's person
I put on a coat and shoes to go outside
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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
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3
as in to pretend
to present a false appearance of
put on a show of anger just for fun
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as in mock
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
a put-on goofy voice
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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
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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
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of put on
Anjeanette Damon, ProPublica, 4 Nov. 2024
However, that case was put on hold as the earlier lawsuit was being decided.
—Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 3 May 2024
As Patrick lopes through the film intruding into people’s space with his strength and his shameless habit of stealing their snacks (and dropping his shorts), Guadagnino over-indulges in close-ups of O’Connor scrunching up his mouth in a put-on smirk.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for put on 
Verb
Some had put on legal clinics for work authorization and asylum applications.
—Anjeanette Damon, ProPublica, 4 Nov. 2024
However, that case was put on hold as the earlier lawsuit was being decided.
—Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024
Adjective
While broadly based in reality, the entire movie is a put-on, a wackazoid tall tale, a comedy that uses the breakfast wars as the jumping-off point for a high-camp exercise in nostalgic lunacy.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 3 May 2024
As Patrick lopes through the film intruding into people’s space with his strength and his shameless habit of stealing their snacks (and dropping his shorts), Guadagnino over-indulges in close-ups of O’Connor scrunching up his mouth in a put-on smirk.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for put on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for put on
Verb
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Someone will exaggerate a situation or feeling to grab your attention or lead you astray.Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 31 Oct. 2024
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As in 2020, Trump’s playbook in Pennsylvania involves exaggerating and mischaracterizing any irregularities around the state’s election to bolster claims of widespread fraud.Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Now, admittedly, there are other ways for the AI to do this behind the scenes and silently send commands via your computer and perform these actions, but that’s a bit tricky and not as transparent as pretending to be actively using your keyboard and mouse.Lance Eliot, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
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In WandaVision, Wanda turned her into the wacky sitcom neighbor that Agatha had once pretended to be.Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Wear rubber gloves and clip a mangled licking branch (which holds the forehead and saliva scent of several bucks and does) from atop an active scrape and wire it over a mock scrape near your stand.Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024
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Students around the country are getting mock elections, nine-week campaign courses and field trips to the polls, where many high school seniors will vote for their first time on Tuesday.Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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But in his youth lies the reason for anonymity and pretense, Hoback claims.Joel Khalili, WIRED, 22 Oct. 2024
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Liberals, apparently, got up close to voters under the pretense of handing out food and water.Antonia Hitchens, The New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2024
Noun
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At times sounding like a fanatical parody of the Mann of Reflections, Naphta argues that love of freedom and pleasure is weaker than the desire to obey.George Packer, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024
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The line between parody and true life shifts, sometimes mid-sentence.Brendan Menapace, SPIN, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
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In an October 23, 2020 Instagram post, Shah donned a structured corset-dress apparently made of Joe Biden signs.Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024
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The singer donned a short wig as well as Prince’s iconic purple coat and boots from the movie while holding a matching guitar.Staff Author, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Striking a family pose, Cuoco wore a blue NFL jersey, fake beard and baseball cap, while Pelphrey sported a blonde wig, a pink Nike sweatshirt and white slides.Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
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April 25: Trump is named an unindicted co-conspirator in Arizona fake election scheme charges.Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The big picture: The parking structure's new facade is the latest installation of the Art that Excites program that's curating 10 murals in public spaces around downtown Oceanside.Kate Murphy, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024
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Albert Hotel feels both modern and luxe, but also authentically-minded, thanks to the limestone facades that echo the town’s 150-year-old historic buildings and culinary offerings that will celebrate local flavors.Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Put on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/put%20on. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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