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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of put on
Colin Demarest, Axios, 18 Dec. 2024
Last taking place in 2009 by lethal injection, the death penalty was put on pause in the Hoosier state because of a lawsuit and other complications that prevented officials from obtaining the mixture of drugs used in its lethal injection protocol.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 18 Dec. 2024
Bob Raissman, New York Daily News, 1 June 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for put on 
Verb
Driving the news: Axios was given exclusive access to a counter-drone demo in rural Virginia put on by ZeroMark, a small defense company that wants to equip troops with smarter weaponry.
—Colin Demarest, Axios, 18 Dec. 2024
Last taking place in 2009 by lethal injection, the death penalty was put on pause in the Hoosier state because of a lawsuit and other complications that prevented officials from obtaining the mixture of drugs used in its lethal injection protocol.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
An artist on the court and a put-on artist off, Walton was an all-time great basketball player, the world’s tallest Grateful Dead groupie, a philosopher, hyperbolic orator and comedian.
—Bob Raissman, New York Daily News, 1 June 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for put on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for put on
Verb
-
The payment is the judgment leveled against Trump for intentionally approving financial documents that exaggerated the value of his assets to land better business opportunities.Stephen Pastis, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024
-
Quite an accomplishment All presidents like to boast about their actions, and nearly all exaggerate their positive impact on the world from time to time.Haisten Willis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
In June, police said two men pretended to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, including using fake badges, to gain access to homes in Anaheim before robbing Latino residents.Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2024
-
Squibb plays a 93-year-old grandmother (Squibb is 95 now) who is conned by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson Daniel (Fred Hechinger).Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The ancient tradition would be to hold sacrificial ceremonies, but today, people hold mock sacrifices to celebrate.Amanda Cappelli, CBS News, 21 Dec. 2024
-
The long-sleeve gown featured a mock neck and ruching at the waist.Catherine Santino, People.com, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Eugene Spector is accused of gathering genetic data from Russian citizens under the pretense of scientific research, the Russian news outlet Meduza reported.David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024
-
Player 456) and the secret island where luckless souls are murdered in the name of rich people’s fun, under the pretense of playing a game.Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The 2x Oscar nominee, who co-wrote and directed the 2005 Johnny Cash pic Walk the Line, has not been scared off from paying cinematic tribute to other legendary musicians after the parody Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007).Glenn Garner, Deadline, 28 Dec. 2024
-
Fair use—the lawful copying of others’ works for certain purposes, such as for criticism, parody or news reporting—is mentioned in the AHL’s answer as well.Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 7 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Some of the older girls donned pants — which was prohibited growing up — while others opted for skirts.Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
-
Kelce donned a suit from the Tortured Poets Department skit, while Swift rocked a black dress with silver details.Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
In 2017, then State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman indicted Newman on 58 counts, following a two-year investigation nicknamed Operation Vandelay Industries, a nod to George Costanza’s fake latex company on Seinfeld.Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 25 Dec. 2024
-
Not a temporary tattoo or a fake one to trick people online.Amanda Rosa, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The round arches were repeated on the main facade around entrances and in the panel surrounding the stained glass rose window.Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Dec. 2024
-
That red brick facade and handsome shutters hold timeless charm, but the city condo has even more delights inside.Miriam Schwartz, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2024
Articles Related to put on
Thesaurus Entries Near put on
Cite this Entry
“Put on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/put%20on. Accessed 2 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share