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Definitions

let on

VERB
acknowledge, admit
Synonyms
WEAK
allow avow betray concede confess disclose divulge give away grant hint imply indicate let out make known mouth own own up reveal say spill suggest tell uncover unveil
Antonyms
WEAK
deny disacknowledge

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The total cost to train and run DeepSeek’s model was exponentially higher than the company let on, and investors failed to consider that businesses generally wouldn’t use Chinese models due to security concerns.

From Barron's • Feb. 4, 2026

She does let on that the team looked at "some very innovative ways" to get Paddington moving, but says traditional puppetry was ruled out.

From BBC • Nov. 1, 2025

Then again, almost all of these people — the main characters and minor — are needier than they’d like to let on.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2025

If the no vote of his former ally in McConnell fazed him, the president didn't let on.

From Salon • Jan. 25, 2025

But I would never let on to Aunt Kitty.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.