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
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
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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
-
Trump has lobbed numerous threats and insults at the members of the panel.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
21 Jan. 2025
-
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
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
-
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
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What’s more, tech companies have hired workers in growing areas such as AI while at the same time dismissing workers in less-promising sectors.—
George Avalos,
The Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Two towns in West Virginia, Thomas and Elkins, each recorded 16 inches.—
Nazaneen Ghaffar,
New York Times,
20 Jan. 2025
-
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
Verb
-
Midway through the third, the Leafs entered the zone on a rush.—
Joe Smith,
The Athletic,
30 Jan. 2025
-
Say farewell to the Year of the Wood Dragon because the Year of the Wood Snake is upon us, officially beginning when the new moon enters Aquarius at 4:36 a.m.—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
But the quicker files are made available, the quicker conspiracy theories could be quelled.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
TIME,
31 Jan. 2025
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The deal could quell activist investor Ananym, which Reuters reported was pressing for a board refresh, succession planning and a sale of Henry Schein's medical distribution business.—
Claire Rychlewski,
Axios,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The Commanders attribute a lot of their play under pressure to Daniels’ performance and leadership in tight spots.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
30 Jan. 2025
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Despite the exhaustive analysis, the painting still needs to be attributed to Van Gogh by the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.—
Jack Guy,
CNN,
30 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Eating it: Some folks spoon directly into their mouths.—
Ann Maloney,
NOLA.com,
19 July 2017
-
New this year to True Nature is a retreat for those with eating disorders and their family members.—
Plain Dealer guest writer,
cleveland.com,
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 3 Feb. 2025.
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