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
Amy Morin, Parents, 25 July 2024
Do not hurt anyone’s body (no hitting, pushing, or kicking).
Do not hurt anyone’s feelings (no yelling, put-downs, or name-calling).
—Amy Morin, Parents, 3 July 2024
Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2025
Funds will be administered as quickly as possible, Fleming said, with an eye toward making sure fire victims can put down deposits on new housing, buy clothes and continue to feed their families.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for put-down 
Noun
Verbal abuse Verbal put-downs from a coach—said in front of others or done privately—are a clear form of verbal abuse..
—Amy Morin, Parents, 25 July 2024
Do not hurt anyone’s body (no hitting, pushing, or kicking).
Do not hurt anyone’s feelings (no yelling, put-downs, or name-calling).
—Amy Morin, Parents, 3 July 2024
Verb
As the South Asian community has put down roots over the decades, so have the organizations devoted to creating third places – a coinage by sociologist Ray Oldenburg for the places where people can gather, socialize and bond outside work and school.
—Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2025
Funds will be administered as quickly as possible, Fleming said, with an eye toward making sure fire victims can put down deposits on new housing, buy clothes and continue to feed their families.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for put-down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for put-down
Noun
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Videos of their vigorous, cheerful efforts soon went viral, drew international coverage and were a forceful counterpoint to Trump’s xenophobic insults.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Jan. 2025
-
Tyson and Paul repeatedly traded barbs and insults to each other leading up to the Nov. 15 boxing match, which was delayed by four months after the legendary former heavyweight champion was diagnosed with an ulcer flare-up.—
Danielle Jennings,
People.com,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Signing the best starter remaining on the free-agent market would allay those concerns and quell some of the criticism surrounding Atlanta's quiet offseason.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
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The Trump transition team has not yet responded to a request for comment on criticism of Trump’s plan targeting Canada, Mexico and China specifically.—
Alison Durkee,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Gerlach allegedly dismissed Walker’s findings and fired Mitchell anyway, according to the lawsuit.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Jan. 2025
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King’s request to dismiss the federal agencies also said U.S. District Courts have jurisdiction on Freedom of Information Act requests in civil matters, as well as the claims alleging the State Department was negligent.—
Jeff A. Chamer,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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After winning the show in 2005, Underwood received what was standard for Idol champions: a recording contract with Hollywood Records, including $125,000 upfront for beginning her first album, another $125,000 upon completion, and a $300,000 advance for album production.—
Jenzia Burgos,
StyleCaster,
20 Jan. 2025
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Richard Nixon recorded the lowest approval rating in history—24 percent—just before resigning in August 1974 amid the Watergate scandal.—
Ewan Palmer,
Newsweek,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Midway through the third, the Leafs entered the zone on a rush.—
Joe Smith,
The Athletic,
30 Jan. 2025
-
What kind of visas do athletes need to enter the U.S.?—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
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ByteDance has tried to quell concerns about TikTok by noting 100% of U.S. traffic was routed to Oracle and U.S. Digital Service infrastructure in the United States as of 2022.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
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Hopes of cease-fire and hostage exchange deal first confirmed by the U.S. and Qatar on Wednesday appeared to be quelled by the time Americans were waking up on Thursday morning.—
Caitlin McFall,
Fox News,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Network Forensics: Tracing and attributing digital threats.—
Emil Sayegh,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
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Schwartz attributes its smaller crowds and less festive environment not to local lawmakers but to changes in ownership.—
Jonathan M. Pitts,
Baltimore Sun,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Miami was last in the NFL at 57 plays per game last season partly because the offense didn’t convert effectively on third downs, but also because the porous run defense allowed opponents to eat up the clock.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun-Sentinel.com,
19 July 2017
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The casual restaurant and bar also offers an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet at 8 a.m. Sundays.—
Vickie Snow Jurkowski,
Daily Southtown,
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 1 Feb. 2025.
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