1
: commonly named
the so-called pocket veto
2
: falsely or improperly so named
deceived by a so-called friend

Examples of so-called in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Bridget Ziegler was appointed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to the board overseeing the special district encompassing Walt Disney World, which DeSantis created in retaliation for Walt Disney Co.’s criticism of his so-called Don’t Say Gay law suppressing discussion of gender issues in public schools. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2023 There’s stuff in that letter that wasn’t even invented when it was so-called written. CAROLINA: Look. Anna Deavere Smith, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2023 According to Rebecca Gorman, co-founder and CEO of Aligned , the company’s so-called Algorithm for Concept Extraction, or ACE, is much better at avoiding making such spurious connections. Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2023 Read full article The Conservatives will face an early test of their political fortunes Thursday with three so-called by-elections — special elections to fill seats in Parliament vacated by Tory lawmakers. Mark Landler, BostonGlobe.com, 19 July 2023 Florida 'Don't Say Gay' law:GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis to expand so-called 'Don't Say Gay' law to Florida high schools School district officials face public backlash Barbee's case has made national headlines causing school district officials to be targeted by lawmakers and the public. USA TODAY, 31 May 2023 Working mostly in rodents, these pioneers in so-called in vitro gametogenesis, or IVG, have since turned mice stem cells into sperm and eggs, including a recent success creating eggs from the stem cells of a male mouse. Megan Molteni, STAT, 8 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'so-called.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of so-called was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near so-called

Cite this Entry

“So-called.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/so-called. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

so-called

adjective
ˈsō-ˈkȯld
: commonly or popularly but often inaccurately so named
your so-called friend
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