PUTTING ON Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

putting on

verb

present participle of put on

as in throwing (on)

to place on one's person I put on a coat and shoes to go outside

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in pretending

to present a false appearance of put on a show of anger just for fun

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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 putting on The Empress is putting on her royal dress for the final time. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026 Virojt Changyencham/Getty Images Between today's issues with high inflation, elevated interest rates and increasing consumer goods costs, a lot of Americans are feeling the strain that this economic environment is putting on their budgets. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026 Host a Stunning Harvest-Themed Meal Autumn ushers in the season of hosting, and Martha is reigning queen of putting on a good time. — Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 16 Sep. 2026 This museum inside a Renaissance palazzo in the heart of Florence has been putting on one blockbuster exhibition after another. — Laura Itzkowitz, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026 The Hall of Fame itself rejigged itself, putting on something of a Federer-fest with an atmosphere to match. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026 But the very act of putting on a wearable—of willingly adorning oneself with a tiny computerized narc—is an act of surrender. — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026 If possible, practice getting your pet into its carrier, putting on a leash or harness and loading into the car. — Melanie Marshall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026 The sanctioning body also announced earlier this week that North Wilkesboro Speedway, after putting on its first Cup race in 30 years, will go back to hosting the NASCAR All-Star Race in 2027. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for putting on

Verb

Even the Marching Illini came to Kinnick donning pink baseball caps.

— Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026
While donning the iconic blue sweater for Crystal Lake, Linda Cardellini was ready to go full Pamela Voorhees with her killer 1970s transformation.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of donning

Verb

The South Korean military, which often accuses North Korea of exaggerating its military capabilities, did not immediately comment on Kim's claims.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
Several attack ads on Talarico, launched by Republican political action committees, have focused on his past support for transgender youth and accused him of exaggerating his faith to garner the Christian vote.

— Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of exaggerating

Verb

In his appeal, Juszczyk also argued that fining players for pretending to drink beer was hypocritical given the NFL’s beer sponsorships.

— Rick Maese, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2026
The man pretending to be a teen was then contacted by 34-year-old Juan Leonel Jimenez Silva, according to police.

— Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of pretending

Verb

Simulating an investment banker’s work is fundamentally different from simulating a software engineer’s work, CEO Jerry Wu tells Fortune.

— Wen Shao, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
Silicon sampling troubles some polling traditionalists who are uneasy about ethical and other implications of simulating human responses.

— W. Joseph Campbell, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of simulating

Verb

So, associations should avoid assuming that a seemingly minor irrigation problem presents no legal concern.

— Christyne D. Santisteban, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026
The May 2027 board elections would be conducted under the new system if adopted, assuming the voting districts are drawn and approved at least 120 days before the election, according to state law.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Oct. 2026