PUTATIVE Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

putative

adjective

ˈpyü-tə-tiv

Definition of putative

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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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 putative Neither the ministry nor the official who spoke to Reuters gave any further details on the putative ceasefire discussions. — Reuters, NBC news, 20 July 2026 Their putative wedding date comes nearly three years after June 8, 2023, when the Eras Tour hit Kansas City. — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 29 June 2026 But the sheer fervor of protest from putative allies stunned Eaddy. — Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 15 June 2026 If that theory still holds, putative 2028 Democratic candidate Rahm Emanuel has an early advantage — in the bike lane. — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 13 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for putative

Recent Examples of Synonyms for putative

Adjective

The pump wagon’s relevance to Bowery culture will only be apparent in the exhibition’s final gallery, which is dominated by a comparable artifact, Brad Kalhammer’s installation Bowery Nation (1985–2012).

— J. Hoberman, ARTnews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
The latest frontier model, with apparent human-level faculties, had gone rogue – displaying dangerous, even devious online behaviors.

— Michael Serazio, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of apparent

Adjective

Another 1 to 3 inches of rain is possible through the rest of the weekend, with localized totals exceeding 5 inches, as showers shift toward the Northeast.

— Erika Angulo, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2026
Cappu is using the market to meet distributors and other possible partners on the title, with available rights to be confirmed on a per-territory basis.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of possible

Adjective

But even absent that, congressional Democrats can partner with international experts to help determine who was killed and for what ostensible reason.

— Anjali Dayal, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026
So why is their ostensible foray into the world of adult fiction so… juvenile?

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of ostensible

Adjective

The tents with a bathroom in them, a seemingly obvious upgrade from those without (there’s a communal washroom), have toilets that aren’t completely enclosed.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Put the paths of 1991, 2009 and 2027 on a globe, and the approximately 120-degree westward jump between successive members becomes immediately obvious.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of obvious

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put aside

putative

putatively

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“Putative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/putative. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of putative

adjective

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