supposedly

adverb

sup·​pos·​ed·​ly sə-ˈpō-zəd-lē How to pronounce supposedly (audio)
also -ˈpōzd-lē
Synonyms of supposedlynext
: as is supposed : according to what is or was said, claimed, or believed by some
a supposedly true story
a supposedly good restaurant
He had dozens of people around him, supposedly looking after him …Philip Norman
Daddy took me to the Legion, to shoot pool supposedly.Mary Karr

Examples of supposedly in a Sentence

she's supposedly too sick to come—or so she says
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Trump is supposedly a very big fan of the Rush Hour franchise and is hoping for a new installment. Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2026 The student supposedly ran away from Wright and tried to hide under the bleachers. Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026 So the image of the everyday victimized finally getting a chance to confront the supposedly untouchable masters of the universe provides a present-tense thrill that is undeniably powerful. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2026 Another supposedly shows the same group of people, minus Nair, in what appears to be a tropical setting. CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for supposedly

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of supposedly was in 1597

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Supposedly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supposedly. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.

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