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
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 on
Escher Walcott, People.com, 13 July 2025
But Trump has personally appeared sensitive to the pressure this puts on some employers as well.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 12 July 2025
Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2025
Is his tendency to scorn sentimentality on sight a put-on or a character flaw?
—Rhoda Feng, Vulture, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for put on
Verb
Moulin, Moufang and eight others were eventually detained on suspicion of producing toxic and harmful food, while two others, whose identities have not been made public, were put on bail pending trial, CCTV News reported.
—Escher Walcott, People.com, 13 July 2025
But Trump has personally appeared sensitive to the pressure this puts on some employers as well.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 12 July 2025
Adjective
What’s more is that their sense of humor doesn’t seem to be any kind of put-on.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2025
Is his tendency to scorn sentimentality on sight a put-on or a character flaw?
—Rhoda Feng, Vulture, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for put on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for put on
Verb
-
This is one of many lawsuits against Tesla that question the safety of the company's driver-assistance systems, and accuse the company of exaggerating their capabilities.—
Joel Rose,
NPR,
14 July 2025
-
Defenders of the current administration highlight economic policies and argue that media narratives exaggerate constitutional threats while underestimating policy achievements in areas like deregulation and fiscal restraint[1][5].—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 July 2025
Verb
-
There were Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen pretending to make out.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
22 July 2025
-
Dad is the one who's going to pretend to be a predator stalking the child and pretending to be a big, scary monster.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
The analytics department had built a mock draft simulator to get a feel for how the board might shake out before the Panthers selected at their No. 57 spot.—
Mike Kaye
July 22,
Charlotte Observer,
22 July 2025
-
In early March, the command's fighter jets and a U.S. bomber carried out a mock interception over Alaska, showcasing its ability to defend the continent at a moment's notice.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 July 2025
Noun
-
In the case of Brazil, which now faces a potential 50% levy, the president has abandoned the pretense of using his tariff policy to shore up trade deficits.—
Garrett Haake,
NBC news,
10 July 2025
-
Over the past several years, numerous individuals have been arrested after allegedly attempting to enter the property under suspicious or false pretenses, in some cases carrying electronic equipment or claiming to have messages for the president.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
Fittingly, Yankovic and Miranda pulled together a parody of the viral Coldplay Cheating Camera with some help from Colbert’s late-night peers.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
22 July 2025
-
Colbert soon developed a character for himself, a parody of conservative political pundits loosely based on Bill O'Reilly, then on Fox News.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
19 July 2025
Verb
-
Charli xcx wore a silk, off-the-shoulder Vivienne Westwood dress and tulle veil, while Daniel donned a double-breasted suit.—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
21 July 2025
-
His motivation for donning the slicker and hook of the killer who twice tormented him is a bit muddled.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
17 July 2025
Adjective
-
How tariff news fuels some scams The Better Business Bureau warned earlier this summer that some scammers are using fake excuses involving delays caused by tariffs to cover up fraudulent online orders.—
Susan Tompor,
Freep.com,
24 July 2025
-
Also, a covert foreign influence campaign aimed at swaying public opinion and sowing discord through fake social media posts.—
Dan Gooding
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
The Space Mountain facade will be bathed in Fantastic Four projection lighting effects at night and Tomorrowland restaurants will sell movie themed food and a Clobberin’ Time sipper in the shape of The Thing’s fist.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
22 July 2025
-
The full facade is now the same shade of pink as the rest of the building.—
Katherine Weaver,
Chicago Tribune,
20 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Put on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/put%20on. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share