as in apparent
appearing to be true on the basis of evidence that may or may not be confirmed
the putative reason for her dismissal was poor job performance
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Recent Examples of putative
To the contrary, and as mentioned above, asset protection planning requires the application of myriad laws to give the putative debtor a mere chance at a favorable outcome.
—
Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2025
Although the city has historically struggled with high crime, crime rates were sharply declining before Trump declared a putative emergency that required urgent federal intervention.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 21 Aug. 2025
Although Xi oversaw military purges earlier in his career and even imposed a sweeping overhaul of the PLA’s command structure in 2015, this recent shakeup has raised eyebrows since many of the affected men were Xi’s putative allies rather than potential political rivals.
—Jonathan A. Czin, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2025
Still, Indians have taken note that Trump is cracking down hardest against India, a putative partner, for buying oil from Russia, and not on China, allegedly America’s main adversary, which imports even more Russian oil.
—Andreas Kluth, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for putative
Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2025
Although the city has historically struggled with high crime, crime rates were sharply declining before Trump declared a putative emergency that required urgent federal intervention.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 21 Aug. 2025
Although Xi oversaw military purges earlier in his career and even imposed a sweeping overhaul of the PLA’s command structure in 2015, this recent shakeup has raised eyebrows since many of the affected men were Xi’s putative allies rather than potential political rivals.
—Jonathan A. Czin, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2025
Still, Indians have taken note that Trump is cracking down hardest against India, a putative partner, for buying oil from Russia, and not on China, allegedly America’s main adversary, which imports even more Russian oil.
—Andreas Kluth, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for putative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for putative
Adjective
-
The image quickly drew astonishment and amusement from Reddit users, who could not believe the apparent lack of awareness—or concern—by the neighbors responsible.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Toklas went on to fiercely uphold the author’s legacy, honoring Stein’s apparent desire to be understood while at the same time respecting her equally strong wish to remain elusive.—
Daphne Merkin,
The Atlantic,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The presumed reasoning behind why the film was ignored is multilayered.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
He had been listed as probable earlier in the week with bilateral Achilles tendinopathy, then was cleared to play pregame before exiting.—
Rowan Fisher-Shotton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Catastrophic flash flooding and landslides are probable across portions of southern Hispaniola and Jamaica.—
MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT,
Miami Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Since last Thursday, Disney has run public messages notifying YouTube TV customers of a possible blackout.—
Liam Reilly,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
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An additional 1 to 2 inches is possible today over portions of Hispaniola.—
MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT,
Miami Herald,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Despite her ostensible apology, Wu’s rhetoric in the days since has appeared largely unchanged.—
Samantha Riedel,
Them.,
3 Nov. 2025
-
That streak continues here, but the real delight of this ostensible side project is Allison Crutchfield’s return to the mic after an extended absence, and the rebirth of a sibling rock band, apparently sans fistfights or cricket bats.—
Will Hermes,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The Chicago Bears led by two touchdowns with five minutes left in the game, another seeming disappointment for the Bengals on home turf.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
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As a result, Farrell has now become one of our most versatile actors, able to switch genres and types with seeming ease.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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One obvious reason for my interest in the movie, then, was that Walter Matthau reminded me, a little bit, of my father.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
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There are good pieces in place, but replacing or re-signing Bregman seems to be an obvious offseason priority, and another impact starter would certainly help.—
Stephen J. Nesbitt,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Putative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/putative. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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