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
The putative intelligence chief was apparently irrelevant in the administration’s ouster of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
—
Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for putative
Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for putative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for putative
Adjective
-
Some are not much more apparent than a telephone pole.—
Jeffrey Marlow,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
What wasn't hidden was their apparent glee.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The presumed reasoning behind why the film was ignored is multilayered.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Initially listed as probable, White got downgraded to questionable following the Hornets’ morning shootaround.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Even before the rule takes hold, people are mourning a probable casualty.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Apr. 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,
8 Apr. 2026
-
What is expected to be the biggest gathering of possible Democratic 2028 presidential hopefuls is set to happen at the convention for the National Action Network, an organization dedicated to fighting for civil rights and equality.—
Hannah Demissie,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 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
-
Hegseth came out of his own service, in Iraq and Afghanistan, with the seeming conviction that what had stood in the way of a fuller victory in those wars had been the restraints supposedly placed on how soldiers could kill.—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Ye, who has fallen from grace in recent years over his espousing of antisemitic and racist beliefs, is attempting a seeming comeback.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Another obvious, simple solution is just to chill out.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
One obvious example is the use of modular, prefabricated components to quickly and relatively cheaply build housing.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Putative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/putative. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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