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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Armond White, National Review, 1 Jan. 2025
This sneering put-down is even more bizarre than the swipe at Carter’s phantom operatic output.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
Matthew Continetti, National Review, 8 Mar. 2025
One of the protesters, Fallon Hill, said that a 9-month-old puppy named Cupid, who had been in the shelter for three days was put down.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for put-down
Noun
Caustic put-downs of Milton Berle, Jim Henson, and Johnny Carson anticipate the partisan snark by which SNL would pillory Millennial conservatives as non-hip — the antiquated value that has bankrupt stand-up comedy today.
—Armond White, National Review, 1 Jan. 2025
This sneering put-down is even more bizarre than the swipe at Carter’s phantom operatic output.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
Several younger colleagues put down their paddles and followed him.
—Matthew Continetti, National Review, 8 Mar. 2025
One of the protesters, Fallon Hill, said that a 9-month-old puppy named Cupid, who had been in the shelter for three days was put down.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for put-down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for put-down
Noun
-
Recent White House comments and insults directed at NATO allies – as well as the military alliance itself – have raised alarm and confusion.—
Bradford Betz,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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In a workplace that’s increasingly remote, fast-paced, independent and ever-changing, these aren’t insults.—
Nirit Cohen,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The emotional stories linked with characters portrayed as cold-blooded killers trained by terrorists have left the film amid wide criticism over its intentions.—
Sweta Kaushal,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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Many of the artists now topping the charts have come under fierce criticism because their lyrics often paint cartel leaders as Robin Hood-esque figures.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The case was dismissed after the judge overseeing the case ruled prosecutors did not properly turn over evidence to the defense.—
Alli Rosenbloom,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2025
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Even when your partner makes an effort to reconnect — through a joke, a kind gesture or an apology — your mind may dismiss it, keeping you stuck in the negative experience.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The administration expects the new rates to remain in place until the U.S. narrows a $1.2 trillion trade imbalance recorded last year.—
Jason D. Greenblatt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Apr. 2025
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Even worse, the duo recorded zero interceptions and just one turnover between them — a Holland forced fumble in Week 1.—
C. Isaiah Smalls II,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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When Zdeno Chara arrived in Boston and slapped the ‘C’ on his chest in 2006, the Bruins entered an era of strong leadership and built a winning culture.—
Carol Schram,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
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Callender entered in the 86th minute and did not allow a ball to get past him as Inter Miami successfully held off Philadelphia despite an additional nine minutes of stoppage time and some contentious play between the sides down the stretch.—
Andre Fernandez,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Killorn had quelled the Rangers momentum with a short-handed equalizer less than two minutes before New York reassumed control.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
29 Mar. 2025
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Here and there, far from Meemaw’s grave, a few small trees attempted, unsuccessfully, to quell the rage of a Texas sun.—
Robert Moor,
Outside Online,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Much of the drop is attributed to growing concerns that the electric vehicle maker's public image has become too closely tied to its CEO, Elon Musk.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
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Kennedy's murder has been attributed to a sole gunman, Lee Harvey Oswald.—
David Shepardson,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 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
Cite this Entry
“Put-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/put-down. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.
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