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
But commenters were also fascinated by a series of colorful graphs plotting dose-response curves for individual types of exercise, purporting to show that walking is the best, jogging is good but not too much, swimming is no good at all, and so on.
—
Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 30 Jan. 2026
But then last January, an obscure AI startup named DeepSeek released a generative AI platform, R1, which was comparable to ChatGPT but purporting to use just a fraction of Nvidia’s bleeding-edge chips.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 27 Jan. 2026
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
Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 30 Jan. 2026
But then last January, an obscure AI startup named DeepSeek released a generative AI platform, R1, which was comparable to ChatGPT but purporting to use just a fraction of Nvidia’s bleeding-edge chips.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 27 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purporting
Verb
-
Without intending, even as the Vietnam War lingered on and the national mood was grim, halftime became classic Americana, a telling mixture of self-parody and pride.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Instead, the Bucks are intending to see if a future can be crafted in Milwaukee for Antetokounmpo going forward, or else resume trade negotiations either closer to June’s NBA draft or during the next salary-cap calendar that opens July 1.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The National Redistricting Foundation filed a lawsuit on behalf of two Florida voters alleging DeSantis’s attempt to redistrict the state mid-decade via a special session is unlawful.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The files also contain testimony from an unnamed Epstein victim alleging that Brin had visited Epstein’s island around 2006.—
Ethan Varian,
Mercury News,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Mayor Michelle Wu says her administration is also planning to boost the city’s annual block-party grants to allow watch parties and festivities to take place across Boston’s neighborhoods.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Lawmakers in Congress are planning to bury the commemorative chest in honor of the nation's 250th anniversary.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Cross later filed a federal lawsuit against Nanos, claiming the sheriff violated his First Amendment rights.—
Peter D'Abrosca , Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Then, in 2012, a process server sued Hadder, claiming he was assaulted and wrongfully arrested while trying to serve a subpoena.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
One side keeps insisting tougher enforcement and punishment will fix everything.—
Mark Mitchell,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Each design carries weight — physically and symbolically — insisting that perfume is not an accessory, but an object worthy of permanence.—
Sudhir Gupta,
Rolling Stone,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Kotting, who is also trying to absorb higher Medicare premiums and grocery prices, was hoping to keep her natural gas bills down this winter by sealing two upstairs bedrooms and leaving them unheated.—
Tami Luhby,
CNN Money,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Whether Silicon Valley’s early embrace becomes an asset or a liability may depend on how voters interpret the flood of tech money — as proof of confidence in a pragmatic mayor or as a sign that the industry is trying to shape the state’s political future.—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
William is asserting himself as the architect of a stricter, more disciplined royal model.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
11 Feb. 2026
-
But recent reporting describes ICE asserting broader authority through internal guidance.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Michael Hicks weighs in on how a copy‑paste bill has lawmakers going after degrees Indiana doesn’t even offer in his latest op-ed.—
Kurtcia Collazo,
IndyStar,
9 Feb. 2026
-
At one point, NBC’s color commentator Cris Collinsworth openly wondered how many yards Walker had picked up after going backward.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Purporting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purporting. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
