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
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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
Thomas Brewster, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Abramowitz was appointed by the broadcast agency’s board during the Biden administration; he was also put on leave.
—Al Pessin, Sun Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2025
Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 3 Sep. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for put on
Verb
Meanwhile, after a restraining order was put on the Trump administration’s firings, CISA is having to re-hire any probationary staff laid off after January 20.
—Thomas Brewster, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Abramowitz was appointed by the broadcast agency’s board during the Biden administration; he was also put on leave.
—Al Pessin, Sun Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
In the end, as Reno and the reader may have sensed all along, her detachment is just another performance, a cool-girl put-on not so different from Rachel K’s burlesque.
—Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 3 Sep. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for put on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for put on
Verb
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Her depiction of her role at Facebook may or may not be exaggerated.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2025
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If Reilly is right, Trump wouldn’t be the first world leader to exaggerate his accomplishments on the links.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Appearing in his second Saturday Night Live-adjacent film after Wayne's World, Lowe played the villainous Paul Barrish, Tommy's older stepbrother, who plots to take over his father's company with help from his secret lover, partner-in-crime, and pretend mother, Beverly (played by Bo Derek).—
Mike Miller,
EW.com,
22 Mar. 2025
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But one of the show’s most viral clips is much more representative: The veteran SNL writer Jim Downey pretends to have never heard about Jeffrey Epstein’s misdeeds, to O’Brien’s bleating objections.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This is the version (1.0) version of his mock draft, and there could easily be revisions made necessary by trades, medical history and players rising and falling.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
21 Mar. 2025
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Widely considered the top receiver in the draft, many mock drafts have had the Cowboys selecting the Southern California native at No. 12.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Lottie’s wellness cult is no more, although an incriminating video tape gives the adults at least some pretense of narrative tension.—
Abby Monteil,
Them,
13 Mar. 2025
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During this and other trials, Chase abandoned all pretense of impartiality, openly siding with federal prosecutors.—
Marianne Holdzkom,
The Conversation,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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In actuality, everything — unbeknownst to him — was ridiculously staged in a pitch-perfect reality TV parody, as comedy improv actors like David Hornsby and pre-Saturday Night Live Kristen Wiig would put Gould smack dab in the middle of absurd situation after absurd situation.—
EW Staff,
EW.com,
20 Mar. 2025
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For cases relating to works of fiction, parody and satire, courts recognize that the examination must focus on what the publisher intended to convey, the company says.—
Winston Cho,
The Hollywood Reporter,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
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So Alex dons a uniform, buses tables and engages in servile labor for the first time in her life.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
23 Mar. 2025
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If surfing isn't your scene, don a jumpsuit and grab a board to slide down the black-sand slopes of Cerro Negro instead.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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At times, these characters surrounded by the green and gold blur of jungle and sunshine almost look fake, or as if they’re being shot in a studio.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
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Connecting Japanese fans with all MLB players, teams Justin Turner #3 of the Chicago Cubs poses with young fans who wear fake beard prior to the game against Yomiuri Giants at Tokyo Dome on March 16, 2025 in Tokyo, Japan.—
Ian Thomas,
CNBC,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Though the statesman tries to stay one step ahead of the sovereign, the facade he’s so carefully crafted starts to crack.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
23 Mar. 2025
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The iconic flag is bolted onto the facades of brick homes.—
Sara Miller Llana,
The Christian Science Monitor,
20 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Put on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/put%20on. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.
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