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—G. B. Shaw
G. B. 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
Synonyms
Examples of supposed in a Sentence
this new computer program is a supposed improvement over the old one
Recent Examples on the Web
While Dickie, a novice and untalented painter, receives Tom warmly, his girlfriend, Marge (Dakota Fanning), is immediately suspicious of her beau’s supposed acquaintance.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 4 Apr. 2024
Anyone who clicks to view the supposed creator’s other videos will see just five or six created recently.
—Matt Novak / Gizmodo, Quartz, 27 Mar. 2024
In one Colonial Revival home from 1905, a supposed fix included unpainted boards laid atop of rotted boards.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2024
Such accusations about America’s supposed abusive treatment of Nazis became a right-wing trope.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 1 Mar. 2024
The agent assigned him the middle seat next to his supposed colleague, who had the window.
—Michael S. Rosenwald, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2024
While Biden is investing in programs for ordinary Americans, Trump, a supposed billionaire, is taking campaign money from ordinary Americans to pay his legal expenses.
—Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2024
Since then, my supposed friend hasn’t contacted me.
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 21 Feb. 2024
This is a team that only scored 17 points in the AFC title game, with supposed star running back Isiah Pacheco averaging 2.8 yards per carry.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2024
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 4 Apr. 2024
Anyone who clicks to view the supposed creator’s other videos will see just five or six created recently.
—Matt Novak / Gizmodo, Quartz, 27 Mar. 2024
In one Colonial Revival home from 1905, a supposed fix included unpainted boards laid atop of rotted boards.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2024
Such accusations about America’s supposed abusive treatment of Nazis became a right-wing trope.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 1 Mar. 2024
The agent assigned him the middle seat next to his supposed colleague, who had the window.
—Michael S. Rosenwald, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2024
While Biden is investing in programs for ordinary Americans, Trump, a supposed billionaire, is taking campaign money from ordinary Americans to pay his legal expenses.
—Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2024
Since then, my supposed friend hasn’t contacted me.
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 21 Feb. 2024
This is a team that only scored 17 points in the AFC title game, with supposed star running back Isiah Pacheco averaging 2.8 yards per carry.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'supposed.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Supposed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supposed. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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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