supposed
adjective
sup·posed
sə-ˈpōzd 
senses 1b and 2a usually
sə-ˈpō-zəd
senses 3 and 4 often
sə-ˈpōst
1
2
b
: considered probable or certain : expected
It was not supposed that everybody could master the technical aspects …—
J. C. Murray
J. C. Murray
c
: understood
… you will be supposed to refer to my grandaunt …—George Bernard Shaw
George Bernard Shaw3
: made or fashioned by intent or design
what's that button supposed to do
4
a
: required by or as if by authority
soldiers are supposed to obey their commanding officers
b
: given permission : permitted
was not supposed to have visitors
Examples of supposed in a Sentence
this new computer program is a supposed improvement over the old one
Recent Examples on the Web
What the profit narrative misses The focus on supposed physician profits obscures the real policy problem: Inadequate reimbursement is threatening vaccine access.
—Jess Steier, STAT, 29 Jan. 2026
In 2023, the writer Patricia Lockwood chafed at Wallace’s supposed sainthood in a long piece for the London Review of Books.
—Hermione Hoby, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
Despite the Others’ inability to lie or act with supposed malice, their supreme emotional and intellectual intelligence can certainly be read as calculating; every action is poised to accommodate or placate Carol, both a loving gesture as well as a deeply exploitative one.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 25 Jan. 2026
In the months since, however, evidence of Espinoza Martinez’s supposed gang affiliations has not materialized.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for supposed
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Jess Steier, STAT, 29 Jan. 2026
In 2023, the writer Patricia Lockwood chafed at Wallace’s supposed sainthood in a long piece for the London Review of Books.
—Hermione Hoby, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
Despite the Others’ inability to lie or act with supposed malice, their supreme emotional and intellectual intelligence can certainly be read as calculating; every action is poised to accommodate or placate Carol, both a loving gesture as well as a deeply exploitative one.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 25 Jan. 2026
In the months since, however, evidence of Espinoza Martinez’s supposed gang affiliations has not materialized.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for supposed
Cite this Entry
“Supposed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supposed. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
1
: believed to be true or real
a supposed cure
2
: considered probable or certain : expected
they are supposed to be here tomorrow
3
: required by or as if by authority
you are supposed to listen to your parents
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