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
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
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-down
Jenna Ryu, SELF, 27 Mar. 2025
Ageism shows up, for example, in some commercials, with the cliched generational put-downs.
—Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2025
David Brennan, ABC News, 21 May 2025
One surreal instant later, Allan Houston put down a forceful dribble, curled around Dan Majerle as tightly as a stripe on a candy cane and discovered a shaft of light.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for put-down
Noun
Some in-laws may be more subtle with their put-downs.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 27 Mar. 2025
Ageism shows up, for example, in some commercials, with the cliched generational put-downs.
—Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2025
Verb
Such confidence in defeat may be buoyed by the strong foundations populist parties and candidates are putting down in Europe.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 21 May 2025
One surreal instant later, Allan Houston put down a forceful dribble, curled around Dan Majerle as tightly as a stripe on a candy cane and discovered a shaft of light.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for put-down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for put-down
Noun
-
These immigrants in Florida find Trump’s offer ‘an insult’ Many are skeptical.—
South Florida Sun Sentinel,
Sun Sentinel,
2 June 2025
-
The master of appropriating insults just can’t do anything to make TACO his — Trump Always Cares Outstandingly just doesn’t have the same ring.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
So far, Trumps criticism of Powell doesn’t appear to have had any bearing on monetary policy, despite temporarily shaking the markets in late April when it was believed Trump might try to fire Powell.—
Simon Moore,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
-
Humane Society officials also rejected criticism of its executive compensation, saying the salaries and benefits are in line with the skills required to manage a complicated and dynamic organization.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 June 2025
Verb
-
Congressional Republicans, many of whom had also grown annoyed with Musk over the last few months, have largely dismissed the billionaire’s fiery opposition to the bill.—
Phil Mattingly,
CNN Money,
6 June 2025
-
For example, recent reports about the potential for automotive production to be curtailed due to rare earth mineral shortages should not be dismissed.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
Wacha recorded 55 swings and 11 whiffs in his outing.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
1 June 2025
-
With two men on, Scott recorded one out in the eighth inning of the Dodgers’ 8-5 win over the Yankees on Friday.—
Gary Phillips,
Hartford Courant,
1 June 2025
Verb
-
Regardless, the Angels were scoreless entering their final three outs again — Angel Stadium playing home to an offense in need of a pulse check.—
Benjamin Royer,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2025
-
After South Dakota State’s FCS playoff run ended in the semifinals, Gronowski considered entering the NFL Draft and was invited to the East-West Shrine Bowl, but his injury was severe enough to require surgery and put his NFL plans on hold.—
Scott Dochterman,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
Verb
-
But the comeback attempts staged by the visitors were repeatedly quelled by one of their greatest strengths.—
Bobby Krivitsky,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
-
In that case, Israeli soldiers fired live rounds into the air to disperse crowds, with the GHF seeking to quell concerns over its rocky first week of operations in a news release Wednesday.—
Chantal Da Silva,
NBC news,
29 May 2025
Verb
-
The Innovation Gap: By The Numbers The wealth gap between the EU and US, which was 17% in 2002, has widened to 30% in 2023, with 72% of this gap attributed to productivity differentials rather than labor contribution.—
RSM Discovery,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
-
The mother initially attributed the baby’s distress to her digestive issues and claimed she had never been dropped.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
29 May 2025
Verb
-
This spot for soccer fans offers lots of pub fare to eat and drink.—
Liz Rothaus Bertrand,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 2025
-
The calls came while eating lunch, while lying in bed at night.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Put-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/put-down. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share