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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of put on
Tommy McArdle, People.com, 29 Jan. 2025
Pamela Anderson put on a diaphanous display at Chanel‘s spring 2025 couture fashion show in Paris on Tuesday.
—Hannah Malach, WWD, 28 Jan. 2025
Megan McArdle, Washington Post, 15 July 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for put on 
Verb
Magazine Dreams made its world premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, but its release was put on hold after Majors' trial in New York City began with ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 29 Jan. 2025
Pamela Anderson put on a diaphanous display at Chanel‘s spring 2025 couture fashion show in Paris on Tuesday.
—Hannah Malach, WWD, 28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
The counterargument is that the persona is a put-on — that the real Vance is the guy who wanted the establishment to just be 15 percent less out of touch, and that if Trump exits the scene, that guy is the one who will actually govern.
—Megan McArdle, Washington Post, 15 July 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for put on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for put on
Verb
-
In the caption, Smith explained what really happened to her and critiqued those who were exaggerating the situation.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
30 Jan. 2025
-
Leavitt exaggerated just like her boss; vigorously promoted his executive actions; and demeaned former President Joe Biden.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN,
28 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
As if any of us could be so arrogant as to pretend to play defense with the Reaper.—
Corey Buhay,
Outside Online,
1 Feb. 2025
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Now that the sports leagues and their media partners have all gone from pretending that gambling doesn’t exist to actively encouraging fans to risk a few bucks in the name of good, clean fun, Gavin’s disingenuous casino signage has mutated into a series of laughably affected PSAs.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The reality star opted for a leather mock neck midi dress and matching black pumps.—
Catherine Santino,
People.com,
4 Feb. 2025
-
Other parts of the clip find Gelo rapping bars while conducting a mock press conference which pays homage to his sports roots.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
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For more about how to tell generative AI to carry out a pretense, known as an AI persona, see my coverage at the link here.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
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There were no pretenses and no judgments — a theme that resonated throughout the retreat.—
Colby Holiday,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Its parody, ‘Johanne Sacreblu,’ is the real work of art, writes columnist JP Brammer.—
Ryan Fonseca,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2025
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Claim originally shared by parody account on X On Jan. 20, Trump pardoned more than 1,500 people charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol, where a mob of Trump's supporters disrupted the counting of electoral votes after the 2020 election.—
Andre Byik,
USA TODAY,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The siblings both donned sunglasses, with Billie accessorizing with a black hat and jacket.—
Hannah Parry,
Newsweek,
2 Feb. 2025
-
The King of Crash is front and center on the card, formally known as the 1916 M101-5 Sporting News Blank Back #151, posed in a pitching stance and donning his Beantown uniform.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
1 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Of course, there’s the awkward reality of her fake pregnancy.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter,
5 Feb. 2025
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Additional clips from the fake reality show have popped up on the Instagram account @springbreakrealitycheck.—
Anders Fogh Rasmussen,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Both share similar pointed turrets and feature small windows along the facade.—
Hannah Malach,
WWD,
4 Feb. 2025
-
Step through the red-brick facade any morning of the week for a coffee and a nosh—and don’t miss out on the latkes served with applesauce and sour cream or the matzo ball soup.—
Eliseé Browchuk,
Vogue,
3 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Put on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/put%20on. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
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