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
For those wearing the putative target on their back, this can surely be agonizing.
—
Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026
The criteria for these distinctions—between putative immigrant and indelible alien—are not complicated; for above all, The Homeland is a racist project.
—Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026
Numerous local landmarks pay homage to the putative outer-space visitor, whose appearance three decades ago is being honored in Varginha this weekend.
—Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 22 Jan. 2026
In the putative May 17, 2024 message, Lively, 38 — who starred in and served as a producer on the Colleen Hoover adaptation — began by thanking Matt for considering watching the film and warning him about its subject matter.
—Elizabeth Rosner, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for putative
Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026
The criteria for these distinctions—between putative immigrant and indelible alien—are not complicated; for above all, The Homeland is a racist project.
—Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026
Numerous local landmarks pay homage to the putative outer-space visitor, whose appearance three decades ago is being honored in Varginha this weekend.
—Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 22 Jan. 2026
In the putative May 17, 2024 message, Lively, 38 — who starred in and served as a producer on the Colleen Hoover adaptation — began by thanking Matt for considering watching the film and warning him about its subject matter.
—Elizabeth Rosner, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for putative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for putative
Adjective
-
Then Evans made another 3, prompting Pitino to turn his back in apparent disbelief.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The White House’s inability to grasp the agency of others — its apparent lack of a theory of mind for everyone outside its walls — gives Democrats, especially, a distinct advantage.—
Jamelle Bouie,
Mercury News,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The presumed reasoning behind why the film was ignored is multilayered.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Rookie standout Kon Knueppel (lower back soreness) is listed as probable for Tuesday’s game against the Kings.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Adebayo upgraded In the wake of being held out in Charlotte due to tightness in his right calf, Adebayo on Wednesday was listed as probable to return Thursday night against the Lakers.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 Mar. 2026
-
On Tuesday, there were some indications from Washington on a possible de-escalation in the Mideast conflict.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The ostensible point of looks-maxxing is to bag hot chicks, but quite clearly the real fun comes from inspiring awe in men.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The ostensible dividing line was over election integrity, which supporters say the SAVE America Act will guarantee.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Now a quarter century into a career largely characterized by mystique and a seeming avoidance of the public eye, Atobe has spent the better part of the 2020s slowly opening up, with some bemusement.—
Maxie Younger,
Pitchfork,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Another seeming breakthrough centered on a pair of gloves found near Guthrie's house, and the possibility that they might be traced to a suspect.—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Chapman followed with an RBI single, and the crowd cheered as many fans jumped to their feet in obvious relief.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The voice on Lars’s tablet insisted that teaching was one of the most obvious tasks to delegate to humanoids.—
Alexandra Petri,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Putative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/putative. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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