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
Relevance
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
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
Larry Seward, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
The key is the enigmatic Porcelain Khaw, who purports to communicate across the barrier for a terrible price.
—Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026
By this time, both Ono and Lennon had found a form of relief in primal scream therapy, the psychological methodology that purports to relieve repressed pain through its intense expression.
—Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 21 Feb. 2026
Alpha School, which purports to teach children academics using AI, is drawing both praise and criticism.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026
To this end, many patients are eager to embrace innovative techniques within this sector, excited about the prospect of anything that purports to speed up the process.
—William Jones, jsonline.com, 28 Jan. 2026
The second interpretation purports to be more hardheaded and sensible, wiser and world-weary after so many years of watching Trump at work.
—Ross Douthat, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
The Discovery Channel series purports to investigate the mysteries and phenomena connected to the ranch, including ancient, lost civilizations and UFO activity.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 29 Dec. 2025
Many want to know about an antibody test that purports to indicate whether a child’s brain is receiving enough folate.
—Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 19 Dec. 2025
Noun
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
The agreement purports to provide a solution amenable to both Kolter and the Gateway Estates Park Condominium Association.
—Larry Seward, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
The key is the enigmatic Porcelain Khaw, who purports to communicate across the barrier for a terrible price.
—Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026
By this time, both Ono and Lennon had found a form of relief in primal scream therapy, the psychological methodology that purports to relieve repressed pain through its intense expression.
—Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 21 Feb. 2026
Alpha School, which purports to teach children academics using AI, is drawing both praise and criticism.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026
To this end, many patients are eager to embrace innovative techniques within this sector, excited about the prospect of anything that purports to speed up the process.
—William Jones, jsonline.com, 28 Jan. 2026
The second interpretation purports to be more hardheaded and sensible, wiser and world-weary after so many years of watching Trump at work.
—Ross Douthat, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
The Discovery Channel series purports to investigate the mysteries and phenomena connected to the ranch, including ancient, lost civilizations and UFO activity.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 29 Dec. 2025
Many want to know about an antibody test that purports to indicate whether a child’s brain is receiving enough folate.
—Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 19 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purports
Noun
-
The twist is — as a lower third on screen indicated — the contents of the notes were changed between dress rehearsal and going live.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Inside the museum’s exhibition halls, display cases stand empty, stripped of their lightweight, high-value contents during a period of occupation by the Rapid Support Forces from April 15, 2023, until early last year.—
Eissa Dafallah,
NBC news,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Investors will look for clues on how Beijing intends to achieve its domestic tech ambitions.—
Evelyn Cheng,Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
4 Mar. 2026
-
But the Bar still intends to ask the court to punish Uhlfelder much more harshly.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The woman’s attorney alleges ICE intentionally withheld the family’s location, preventing legal efforts to stop the deportation.—
Christopher Buchanan,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The lawsuit alleges the business constitutes unlicensed gambling and that Kalshi conducts this business in Michigan without the licensing approval of the Michigan Gaming Control Board in violation of the LSBA.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
You are brought to your senses, this time by squawking and the rapid beating of wings.—
Addie Citchens,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Let some quiet music gently soothe your senses while worries drift away.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Next, the group plans to demand the county stop spraying along the Santa Ana River, which reaches the ocean on the south side of Huntington Beach.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
In Burbank, California, Kim Williams, owner of the Enchanted Florist, carefully plans her flower delivery routes to save on gas.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The government insists the case has nothing to do with a free press, saying the defendants used news reporting as a pretext for years to commit acts that harmed China and Hong Kong.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
New Yorkers react to plan Department of Buildings Commissioner Ahmed Tigani insists reducing inspections will not compromise safety.—
Ali Bauman,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The root of Disco is tension — between Styles and an ex, between an artist and himself, between a pop star and a fandom’s gaze, and between serious intentions and sometimes silly lyricism.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
-
And on Wednesday night, Tan shed a light on Broadcom's customer spending intentions beyond 2026.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
HyCAT aims to ease that pressure.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The satellite also hosts the European Union’s Copernicus Sentinel-4 mission, which aims to monitor key air quality trace gases and aerosols over Europe in support of the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) at high spatial resolution and with a fast revisit time.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Purports.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purports. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
