putative

pu·ta·tive

adj \ˈpyü-tə-tiv\

Definition of PUTATIVE

1

: commonly accepted or supposed

2

: assumed to exist or to have existed

— pu·ta·tive·ly adverb

Examples of PUTATIVE

1. <the putative reason for her dismissal was poor job performance>
2. This has always been a nation willing to sell out its past for putative progress. —Anna Quindlen, Newsweek, 3 June 2002
3. The putative champions of liberty took up the cry of dissent only after it had become profitable and safe … —Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, June 2000
4. Back in Hollywood in a few weeks, I was discouraged to find yet another putative director wandering about in the Cowan offices, also unpaid. —Arthur Miller, Timebends, 1987

Origin of PUTATIVE

Middle English, from Late Latin putativus, from Latin putatus, past participle of putare to think

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to PUTATIVE

Synonyms: assumed, evident, ostensible, ostensive, presumed, prima facie, apparent, reputed, seeming, supposed

Related Words: demonstrable, external, outward, superficial, visible; conceivable, plausible, possible, supposable; likely, probable; clear, distinct, manifest, obvious, plain; deceptive, delusive, delusory, illusive, illusory, imaginary; misleading, specious; fake, faked, feigned, phony (also phoney), pretended, pseudo, put-on; alleged, claimed, professed, purported, so-called

Near Antonyms: hidden, inapparent; implausible, impossible, improbable, inconceivable, unlikely; actual, authenticated, confirmed, corroborated, established, genuine, real, substantiated, sure, valid, validated, verified

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