as in meaning
the idea that is conveyed or intended to be conveyed to the mind by language, symbol, or action
was able to give the purport of the governor's speech in a few words
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to intend
to have in mind as a purpose or goal
do you purport to spend the rest of your life on that couch, or do you think you might get a job someday?
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to allege
to state as a fact usually forcefully
he purports to be an expert in criminalistics
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of purport
ArsTechnica, 24 June 2025
Some public health professionals are worried the ACIP’s upcoming recommendations will be part of Kennedy’s purported larger goal to reduce access to certain vaccines.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 24 June 2025
At the end of 2022, Cardi B responded to the leak of purported (and ultimately phony) new material with a short clip of an unidentified, unreleased track.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 June 2025
The Act does not purport to address, much less preclude, district court review in enforcement proceedings.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for purport
Verb
Cars morphed into the sides of houses, and humanoid figures, purported to be inter-dimensional travelers, moved in ways that defied anatomy.
—ArsTechnica, 24 June 2025
Some public health professionals are worried the ACIP’s upcoming recommendations will be part of Kennedy’s purported larger goal to reduce access to certain vaccines.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 24 June 2025
At the end of 2022, Cardi B responded to the leak of purported (and ultimately phony) new material with a short clip of an unidentified, unreleased track.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 June 2025
The Act does not purport to address, much less preclude, district court review in enforcement proceedings.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for purport
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purport
Noun
-
In 1689, Locke examined natural rights in the second treatise of Two Treatises on Government, but his first treatise established the full meaning of those rights.—
Time,
Time,
1 July 2025
-
April 2025 The Hierophant: April invites you to seek deeper meaning and wisdom from your life, Pisces.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
Basically, the administration intends to fix the budget shortfall by using a soft-hand approach with hiring, personnel and operational matters.—
Terina Allen,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
-
Striped Button-downs Nautical stripes have been making major waves this summer (no pun intended), especially in the form of a breezy button-down top.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
28 June 2025
Verb
-
Chen ultimately began to communicate with a member of the Navy on social media, the DOJ alleges, and arranged for a tour of the USS Abraham Lincoln in San Diego with the employee.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2025
-
The criminal complaint alleges that she was captured on surveillance footage carrying a black backpack entering the locker room area, appearing to take a photo of the vicinity, and departing without the backpack.—
Mike Brest,
The Washington Examiner,
1 July 2025
Noun
-
Those who can surrender a sense of control and stay curious throughout this new journey will feel the most aligned.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 July 2025
-
Though on the surface the blazing, barking vocals and triple-time speed of the track are seemingly at odds with the Foos’ typical mix of pop hooks and radio-friendly rock, the cover makes perfect sense given Grohl’s punk rock pedigree.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
The future of California water lies beneath the surface, protected, planned, and ready when it’s needed most.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
30 June 2025
-
In especially timely news, Wintour announced last week her plans to down as American Vogue’s editor-in-chief after 37 years.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
First, Disney insists on direct senior leadership involvement, recognizing that executives must work alongside their teams to separate genuine AI capabilities from marketing hype.—
Maribel Lopez,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Immediately after his death, Knight says Afeni, who died at age 60 in May 2016, turned to him and insisted her son be cremated, right then and there.—
Danielle Bacher,
People.com,
1 July 2025
Noun
-
Not proving that intent could mean a lesser conviction like criminally negligent homicide with a 1-2 year prison sentence or reckless homicide at 2-4 years at the time.—
Andy Humbles,
The Tennessean,
4 July 2025
-
As for e-bikes and electric scooters, the village is following state law with no intent currently to take local action, East Dundee Police Chief Joshua Fourdyce said.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
4 July 2025
Verb
-
That means one of those outfielders is likely to be traded or otherwise off the team in short order.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
-
That means if companies do as Trump asks, then America can’t raise tariff revenue from them.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purport.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purport. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share