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
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
Xinis acknowledged the government may not intend to violate her rulings, but the judge still expressed concerns, noting an immigration judge handed down a new ruling Thursday night that purports to be a final order of removal.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 12 Dec. 2025
Even middle-income and emerging economies, which China often purports to represent, have been wary of Beijing’s proposals.
—Elizabeth Economy, Foreign Affairs, 9 Dec. 2025
One study purports that police officers experience 400-600 traumatic events over a career.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 19 Nov. 2025
Though Ellen thought her sentiments were fringe, Liz has published a book called The Change, which advocates for a single party system of government that purports to unite everyone, but is in fact authoritarian.
—Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Made in 1905, crammed with comedy players, and hand-tinted with blurts of rough color, the film purports to show a car being driven by King Leopold II of Belgium, who is depicted as a fool behind the wheel.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 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 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
Xinis acknowledged the government may not intend to violate her rulings, but the judge still expressed concerns, noting an immigration judge handed down a new ruling Thursday night that purports to be a final order of removal.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 12 Dec. 2025
Even middle-income and emerging economies, which China often purports to represent, have been wary of Beijing’s proposals.
—Elizabeth Economy, Foreign Affairs, 9 Dec. 2025
One study purports that police officers experience 400-600 traumatic events over a career.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 19 Nov. 2025
Though Ellen thought her sentiments were fringe, Liz has published a book called The Change, which advocates for a single party system of government that purports to unite everyone, but is in fact authoritarian.
—Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Made in 1905, crammed with comedy players, and hand-tinted with blurts of rough color, the film purports to show a car being driven by King Leopold II of Belgium, who is depicted as a fool behind the wheel.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purports
Noun
-
The comic book was stolen from Cage’s Los Angeles home in 2000 but was recovered in 2011 when it was found by a man who had purchased the contents of an old storage locker in southern California.—
Bruce Shipkowski,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Although at least the cake shows you its contents.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Shi added that the company intends to gather more comprehensive customer feedback to further invest in the new product category.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The region intends to use a variety of strategies to meet the increasing water needs, including connecting to existing supplies and new construction.—
Lana Ferguson,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The filing alleges violation of the Michigan Antitrust Reform Act as well as the federal Sherman and Clayton Antitrust acts.—
JC Reindl,
Freep.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
But the apparel giant alleges that Pattie Gonia’s recent attempts to sell and trademark her name violated that agreement.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Visitors would stand in awe as their senses were overwhelmed by colorful images and animations displayed in coordinated displays over multiple, large, flat-screen TVs.—
Jan Wagner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
-
History does not record many cases in which a power-mad leader careening toward tyranny suddenly regained his senses and became more moderate.—
David Brooks,
Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Fabrice Coffrini | Afp | Getty Images BEIJING — Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang plans to visit China in the coming days ahead of the mid-February Lunar New Year, two people familiar with the matter told CNBC.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Getty Images for Vox Media OpenAI plans to ship its first hardware device in 2026, a move into physical products following its acquisition of former Apple design chief Jony Ive’s company io.—
Charlie Fink,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Zelenskyy says a peace deal is nearly ready, but Russia insists Ukraine must withdraw from the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine.—
Katie Marie Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Today, the robotics program has earned numerous awards and championships, but Adamson insists the trophies are secondary.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
What could somebody, with less than just intentions, interpret here?—
Ruby Cramer,
New Yorker,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Sutton, however, does think Amanda’s intentions are bad.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Der Pavilion aims to become a cultural pillar in the Engadin mountain region, serving as an enduring event throughout the ski season and beyond, Pace told WWD.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The country aims to scale up the proportion of SAF to between 7% and 10% by 2035.—
Angelica Ang,
Fortune,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Purports.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purports. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
