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
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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
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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
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2
as in to record
to make a written note of
we had the whole agreement put down on paper
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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
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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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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
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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.
—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.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for put-down
Noun
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In what could be a scene straight out of the official Netflix movie, a comment intended as an insult instead galvanized the troops.—
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The article does not even state the names of all the candidates in the race, an insult to those who polled higher than Leon.—
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.—
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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.—
Verb
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In September, Hecox filed a notice to dismiss the lawsuit.—
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Why was Alabama’s 31-17 loss to a 4-8 FSU team so easily dismissed by the committee?—
Verb
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Protests have been recorded at 585 locations in 186 cities across all 31 provinces, the agency reported.—
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The win was recorded as the team's seventh fourth-quarter comeback victory this season.—
Verb
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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.—
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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.—
Verb
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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.—
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The move seemed to surprise Fallon, who naturally tried to quell her tears by shouting at her.—
Verb
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The nonpartisan office attributed that to state spending outstripping revenue.—
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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.—
Verb
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Whether lounging in white wicker rocking chairs or eating outside off wrought iron tables, some patio furniture will always be reminiscent of her.—
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Keep your stress low, stay balanced, and eat clean.—
Cite this Entry
“Put-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/put-down. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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