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
All the supposed post-regionalism—the borrowing from Houston and Memphis and the jagged online underground—was simply the medium through which a new Harlem superstar had chosen to express himself, like Big L’s glossy hypertechnique or Cam’ron’s Giuliani-baiting absurdity.
—Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 20 Jan. 2026
The half-dozen prosecutors have left after the DOJ wanted a probe into supposed ties Becca Good, Renee’s widow, has to activist groups, The New York Times reported, citing the DOJ’s reluctance to investigate Good’s killing as another reason the prosecutors are stepping down.
—Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 13 Jan. 2026
In some cases, the supposed buyer’s profile uses the name of a real person at the address where the item would be delivered.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 9 Jan. 2026
In the explosive Season 3 finale, which aired in September 2024, Yasmin opted for supposed stability, choosing a privileged life of grouse hunts and tweed jodhpurs on the vast country estate of aristocratic posho and failed entrepreneur Henry Muck (Kit Harington).
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for supposed
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Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 20 Jan. 2026
The half-dozen prosecutors have left after the DOJ wanted a probe into supposed ties Becca Good, Renee’s widow, has to activist groups, The New York Times reported, citing the DOJ’s reluctance to investigate Good’s killing as another reason the prosecutors are stepping down.
—Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 13 Jan. 2026
In some cases, the supposed buyer’s profile uses the name of a real person at the address where the item would be delivered.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 9 Jan. 2026
In the explosive Season 3 finale, which aired in September 2024, Yasmin opted for supposed stability, choosing a privileged life of grouse hunts and tweed jodhpurs on the vast country estate of aristocratic posho and failed entrepreneur Henry Muck (Kit Harington).
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 5 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 28 Jan. 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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