purports 1 of 2

noun

plural of purport
as in contents
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

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purports

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of purport
1
as in intends
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 alleges
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 purports
Noun
One video that quickly went viral purports to show Israeli soldiers beating locals opposed to the project. — Larry Luxner, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2026 Video shows corpses outside capital Meanwhile, video circulating online purports to show dozens of bodies in a morgue on the outskirts of Iran’s capital. — Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026 Instead, Trump purports to have valid cause. — Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 11 Jan. 2026 The law applies to state and local agencies and purports to cover federal officers operating in California, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who have worn masks during recent neighborhood enforcement actions. — Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025
Verb
However, there is some data that purports that some days of the week will, on average, have less expensive airfare than others. — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 June 2026 Commissioned by The Superyacht Life Foundation and the Superyacht Builders Association, or SYBAss, the report purports to be the first comprehensive attempt to quantify the industry’s total economic contribution. — Katia Damborsky, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 Luke purports to know his way around a few recipes. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 8 June 2026 Of particular note is a novel term for what the bureau purports to be an emerging extremism threat. — Daniel Boguslaw, ArsTechnica, 27 May 2026 To exclude the Ute Indian Tribe from access and recognition where those rights and practices endure compounds historical harm and repudiates the very text of the Agreement the State purports to respect. — Shaun Chapoose, Denver Post, 20 May 2026 The dissent’s methodology seems like an instance of textualism, the preferred statutory interpretation theory of most conservatives, which purports to ignore legislative purpose. — Noah Feldman, Mercury News, 15 May 2026 The dissent’s methodology seems like an instance of textualism, the preferred statutory interpretation theory of most conservatives, which purports to ignore legislative purpose. — Noah Feldman, Twin Cities, 14 May 2026 Is there an extra responsibility toward representation when casting media that purports to represent reality versus casting something scripted? — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 7 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purports
  1. contents
  2. intends
  3. alleges
  4. senses
  5. plans
  6. insists
  7. intentions
  8. aims
Noun
  • Thanks to two-way lids designed to open from the wide front or back side, several Iceco fridge models already offer versatile access to the frosty contents inside.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 July 2026
  • Deputies turned the package over to the Border Patrol, which will test the contents.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 5 July 2026
Definition of contents
Verb
  • If Washington intends to withdraw forces, assets or capabilities, allies need a roadmap and a timeline.
    — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 6 July 2026
  • Exonerees in Georgia have a new pathway to obtain compensation from the state, which Pugh intends to pursue, but that process takes time.
    — Taylor Croft, AJC.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of intends
Verb
  • The suit alleges The Bay Club does not fall under that exception because parents are not necessarily always on the premises.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 9 July 2026
  • The lawsuit alleges the replacement tickets many fans were given by StubHub were worse than their original tickets.
    — Lily Wright, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of alleges
Noun
  • Paules tries to keep track of prefab projects in both Altadena and the Palisades and senses tremendous momentum.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • After all, Against Nature is all about the unsettling atmosphere and the senses.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 4 July 2026
Definition of senses
Verb
  • The company now plans to demonstrate how the same autonomous technologies can improve aircraft inspection and maintenance.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
  • The documents say the company plans to build seven pump stations, three of them located on federal land managed by the agency.
    — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of plans
Verb
  • Edgar insists on a moment alone with his dead son before the coffin rolls into the crematorium furnace.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026
  • Iran insists the deal means an end to fighting in Lebanon as well.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026
Definition of insists
Noun
  • Rather than stopping at collecting public opinion, the organization plans to launch a behavioral research program designed to understand why consumers’ intentions often fail to translate into purchasing decisions.
    — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 9 July 2026
  • Most of us who participate in this informal system do so with the best of intentions.
    — Sachin H. Jain, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of intentions
Verb
  • In an era where youth sports can cost parents thousands of dollars, a new no-cost league in the historic Northeast neighborhoods launched by the Kansas City Current aims to break down the financial barrier.
    — PJ Green July 11, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2026
  • The law primarily aims to tackle America’s housing affordability problem by increasing supply.
    — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Definition of aims

Browse Nearby Words

purporting
purports
purpose
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Cite this Entry

“Purports.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purports. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of purports for Spanish Speakers

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