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.
The lurch from confidence to anxiety has been a key reason Villa have not held their nerve in some supposedly easier fixtures. Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2026 There are chances for writers, actors and crew members to secure work for at least a little while, and that executives are rediscovering that some supposedly outmoded ways of making television can still be good, actually. Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 21 Feb. 2026 Anything that was anti-Jewish—a story about exclusion, an obstacle that hadn’t come down, a disapproving enumeration of supposedly Jewish traits—was possibly more fascinating. Nicholas Lemann, New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2026 Willis will supposedly have options, and maybe massive offers. Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 20 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 2 Mar. 2026.

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