1
as in throwing (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 exaggerating
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 pretending
to present a false appearance of
put on a show of anger just for fun
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of putting on
Someone talking on the phone didn’t wash her hands before putting on gloves.
—
David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Based on what brands are putting on screen this year, that investment shows up in different ways.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
James also suggests applying some hair spray before putting on any warm headwear to keep flyaways in place.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 29 Jan. 2026
Depending on how your body responds, that could manifest as either shedding or putting on pounds.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 23 Jan. 2026
Each residence is just steps away from the beach, so close that putting on shoes would be foolish.
—Alex Postman, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
But certain trees are still putting on a show with their beautiful evergreen foliage, raising the question of whether winter watering is necessary.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 12 Jan. 2026
Liam has spoken extensively about putting on the black leathers, contacts and the wig and that process of not becoming yourself.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
Indivisible is putting on No Kings with organizations including the ACLU, 50501, Planned Parenthood, the Sunrise Movement and various labor unions.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2025
David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Based on what brands are putting on screen this year, that investment shows up in different ways.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
James also suggests applying some hair spray before putting on any warm headwear to keep flyaways in place.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 29 Jan. 2026
Depending on how your body responds, that could manifest as either shedding or putting on pounds.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 23 Jan. 2026
Each residence is just steps away from the beach, so close that putting on shoes would be foolish.
—Alex Postman, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
But certain trees are still putting on a show with their beautiful evergreen foliage, raising the question of whether winter watering is necessary.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 12 Jan. 2026
Liam has spoken extensively about putting on the black leathers, contacts and the wig and that process of not becoming yourself.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
Indivisible is putting on No Kings with organizations including the ACLU, 50501, Planned Parenthood, the Sunrise Movement and various labor unions.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for putting on
Verb
-
The show, in exaggerating adolescence—in remaking that consequential phase as a fantasy and a melodrama—also managed to honor it.—
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Companies are exaggerating their AI capabilities to raise their value and, in turn, creating a host of problems for executives and employees alike.—
Devika Rao,
TheWeek,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Chris Kreider, winger, B+ Jacob Trouba, defenseman, B+ Both players were jettisoned by the New York Rangers, who sunk in the standings and have continued selling off after pretending as though their leadership group was the issue.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The new study provides the first evidence of an animal pretending in a situation researchers could control.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Lana Del Rey modeled a romantic take on western fashion at the Ralph Lauren show on Tuesday, donning cowboy boots with a flowing white dress.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
While there are people that will enjoy donning tuxedos and ball gowns, most won't.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
One of his chief responsibilities is preparing the scout-team offense, which is tasked every practice with simulating the next opponent in an 11-on-11 setting against the Pats’ starting defense.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
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The hourslong rehearsal involved filling the rocket with more than 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellant and simulating each step of the launch countdown as would occur on the actual day.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Johnson cannot afford to lose more than one Republican, assuming all members are present and Democrats are united against the measure being voted on that would set the rules for debating a bill to boost domestic production of critical minerals.—
Justin Papp,
CNBC,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The instinct was to start with the largest model possible, assuming that adaptation would naturally improve performance.—
Abhas Ricky,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Putting on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/putting%20on. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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