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
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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
Joyce Marter, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
And playing him night after night…and then just those put-downs.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 16 May 2025
Katie Grant, Parents, 3 Jan. 2026
Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard ranks include the all-volunteer Basij force, whose motorcycle-riding members have violently put down protests like the 2009 Green Movement and the 2022 demonstrations.
—Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for put-down
Noun
Examples include financial gaslighting, shaming, put-downs, bullying and pressure.
—Joyce Marter, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
And playing him night after night…and then just those put-downs.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 16 May 2025
Verb
This book, which argues that kids are willing and eager to put down the phones and re-enter the real world, is a mix of graphic novel-style narrative and text boxes with questions, tips, and truths about the dangers of social media geared toward kids ages 8-16.
—Katie Grant, Parents, 3 Jan. 2026
Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard ranks include the all-volunteer Basij force, whose motorcycle-riding members have violently put down protests like the 2009 Green Movement and the 2022 demonstrations.
—Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for put-down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for put-down
Noun
-
In what could be a scene straight out of the official Netflix movie, a comment intended as an insult instead galvanized the troops.—
Natalie Jarvey,
Fortune,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The article does not even state the names of all the candidates in the race, an insult to those who polled higher than Leon.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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And cornerback Mike Jackson, who had four pass breakups and an interception in the playoff game, dismissed criticism of Evero’s play-calling on the defense’s final drive.—
Mike Kaye
Updated January 11,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
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The couple, who did not grow up knowing one another because of estrangements in their families, faced criticism from both sets of parents for the union.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In September, Hecox filed a notice to dismiss the lawsuit.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Why was Alabama’s 31-17 loss to a 4-8 FSU team so easily dismissed by the committee?—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Dak Brinkley shows pass rushing ability KU freshman defensive end Dak Brinkley recorded the first two sacks of his college career on back-to-back plays in the second quarter.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The Hornets have recorded five or more sacks five times this season.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The biggest ovation of the night came when Keon Ellis, who has fallen out of the rotation despite being one of the team’s best defenders and 3-point shooters, entered the game for the first time at the start of the fourth quarter.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
10 Nov. 2025
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According to the report, a Nissan Pathfinder driven by Wesley Jordan, 77, of Prairie Grove entered the roadway attempting to turn left when a westbound Dodge Ram struck Jordan's vehicle.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
There are glimpses of a backstage farce, with Nora trying to use a quickie with her married stage-manager lover (longtime Trier regular Anders Danielsen Lie) to quell a panic attack on opening night, then threatening to bolt.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
7 Nov. 2025
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The move seemed to surprise Fallon, who naturally tried to quell her tears by shouting at her.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The nonpartisan office attributed that to state spending outstripping revenue.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
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The bond agreement attributes that confidentiality to a Kansas state statue specifically designed for STAR bond projects involving a major professional sports franchise.—
Sofi Zeman,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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During the week, Aluko had described lying in bed at the height of the controversy, depressed and unable to eat.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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While about 10% of adults worldwide report bloating, fatigue or gut pain after eating foods containing gluten, only 16% to 30% of those cases show true gluten-specific reactions, the paper found.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Put-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/put-down. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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