1
as in intending
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
Relevance
2
as in alleging
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 purporting
It has been used in memes in which an image purporting to represent modern society is contrasted unfavorably with an image representing tradition.
—
Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2026
According to authorities, the scam would typically involve a victim receiving a text message purporting to be from their bank.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 15 Jan. 2026
One photo purporting to show Maduro after his capture was shared widely, including by the mayor of Coral Gables Florida, Vince Lago, and in a joint Instagram post by two popular conservative content accounts with over 6 million combined followers.
—CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
Last month, a video from right-wing influencer Nick Shirley purporting to expose extensive fraud at child care centers in Minnesota went viral.
—Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
Did some initial research but found that a book had recently been written about the crime, purporting to have solved it.
—Adam Smyth, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The center, commonly referred to as Tucson J and located on East River Road near North Alvernon Way, was littered with flyers purporting to be from a hate group, according to the Jewish Philanthropies President and CEO Hava Leipzig Holzhauer.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 19 Dec. 2025
Footage of an explosion and fire were circulated on Ukrainian and Russian Telegram channels purporting to be from the strike, although the images have not been independently verified.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
Backed by data purporting to show that Drake, in particular, has benefitted from billions of fake streams, the lawsuit accuses Spotify of turning a blind eye to exploitation of its payout model, which allocates royalties to artists based on their share of total streaming volume.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2025
Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2026
According to authorities, the scam would typically involve a victim receiving a text message purporting to be from their bank.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 15 Jan. 2026
One photo purporting to show Maduro after his capture was shared widely, including by the mayor of Coral Gables Florida, Vince Lago, and in a joint Instagram post by two popular conservative content accounts with over 6 million combined followers.
—CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
Last month, a video from right-wing influencer Nick Shirley purporting to expose extensive fraud at child care centers in Minnesota went viral.
—Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
Did some initial research but found that a book had recently been written about the crime, purporting to have solved it.
—Adam Smyth, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The center, commonly referred to as Tucson J and located on East River Road near North Alvernon Way, was littered with flyers purporting to be from a hate group, according to the Jewish Philanthropies President and CEO Hava Leipzig Holzhauer.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 19 Dec. 2025
Footage of an explosion and fire were circulated on Ukrainian and Russian Telegram channels purporting to be from the strike, although the images have not been independently verified.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
Backed by data purporting to show that Drake, in particular, has benefitted from billions of fake streams, the lawsuit accuses Spotify of turning a blind eye to exploitation of its payout model, which allocates royalties to artists based on their share of total streaming volume.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purporting
Verb
-
Mere weeks after an armed man came to our ER intending to shoot people, hospital leaders refused to negotiate improvements in workplace safety.—
Donovan Carey,
New York Daily News,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Prosecutors said the group members planned to target agents with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, intending to harm them with pipe bombs.—
Austin Turner,
CBS News,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
There was that conservative influencer who went out and posted this video that went viral, alleging that day care facilities were pocketing public funds.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
In November 2020, Feeding Our Future sued the Minnesota Department of Education, alleging that the state was slow-walking its grant applications.—
David Ingram,
NBC news,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Abigail hoped that when the colonies achieved independence, women in America would join in the victory and finally have a say over their own lives without having to bow to the authority of men in managing their homes and property, and planning for their futures.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Jan. 2026
-
While Paramount declined to share further details on Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal reported last week that the company was planning another extension.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And while numbers vary, one former NBA player has even the biggest of rockstars beat, claiming to have slept with 20,000 women over the course of his life.—
Diane J. Cho,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Investigators said in a press release that a driver called 911, claiming that someone had shot at his vehicle while driving along Highway 67 near Joe Wilson Road.—
Matthew Davisson,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Kelly filed a lawsuit earlier this month in a district court to try to stop Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s efforts to demote his rank in retirement, insisting the inquiry unlawfully punished him for his speech and violated his due process.—
Anne Flaherty,
ABC News,
22 Jan. 2026
-
While insisting Iran prefers diplomacy, Araghchi cautioned that future attacks would trigger a far more forceful response and risk igniting a prolonged regional conflict.—
Ashley Carnahan,
FOXNews.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The deal was finally announced in 2023—11 months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine—when Trafigura was trying to distance itself from Russian businesses.—
Giacomo Tognini,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Perhaps Regina had gotten out of bed, trying not to wake the baby.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In Florence, peacoats are everywhere in the colder months, from classic camel to sleek black and even bold reds, asserting their status as a city staple for looking intentional and timeless.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Jan. 2026
-
My fellow Republicans have been holding firm in labeling Renee Good a domestic extremist, asserting that her actions constituted a violent threat motivated by ideological aims.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
San Jose was seventh in MLS with 60 goals scored while going 11-15-8 last season.—
Mercury News,
Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2026
-
But most of its richest pleasures come down to Fiennes going balls to the wall with a truly memorable character — half lunatic and half visionary.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Purporting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purporting. Accessed 24 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
