purportedly

adverb

pur·​port·​ed·​ly (ˌ)pər-ˈpȯr-təd-lē 

: it is purported : ostensibly, allegedly

Examples of purportedly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Officials alleged that some billed Medicaid for services that were never provided, including care purportedly delivered while aides or recipients were incarcerated, hospitalized, traveling overseas, or working other jobs. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 4 Aug. 2026

One card show that apparently took place in Illinois purportedly shows a man and boy stealing a card of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, valued at $15,000. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 3 Aug. 2026

Their theater attendance purportedly outstripped that of their elders; their tastes in video-game franchises and low-budget horror undeniably carried the day. — Sophia Nguyen, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 2026

Two ransom notes purportedly sent by those who kidnapped Nancy Guthrie in Arizona earlier this year were released Friday by local authorities hoping to generate new leads in the case. — Tom Winter, NBC news, 1 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for purportedly

• reportedly