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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of putative
In the absence of a putative A-list candidate, the crowded field has yielded good, healthy competition.
—
Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Johnny is the putative protagonist of Mortal Kombat II, a follow-up to 2021’s Mortal Kombat, which was centered on MMA fighter Cole Young (Lewis Tan).
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 6 May 2026
What about Williams’ putative second civil rights movement?
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 5 Mar. 2026
During the Cold War’s first decades, the CIA’s version of these men on the spot produced a succession of seemingly stunning covert victories that created a pantheon of putative American heroes.
—Alfred McCoy, Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for putative
Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Johnny is the putative protagonist of Mortal Kombat II, a follow-up to 2021’s Mortal Kombat, which was centered on MMA fighter Cole Young (Lewis Tan).
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 6 May 2026
What about Williams’ putative second civil rights movement?
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 5 Mar. 2026
During the Cold War’s first decades, the CIA’s version of these men on the spot produced a succession of seemingly stunning covert victories that created a pantheon of putative American heroes.
—Alfred McCoy, Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for putative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for putative
Adjective
-
The apparent hoax came just hours after another active shooter was reported on the University of Tennessee's campus in Chattanooga.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
-
The service comes after Natalie Rupnow's mother, Mellissa Rupnow, died by an apparent suicide.—
Laura Schulte,
jsonline.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Patrick Mahomes looks probable to return for Week 1 in Kansas City, with reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III now in tow at running back.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
9 June 2026
-
That outcome looks highly probable, with a deep bench of performers in the hunt, among them Patrick Ball, Sepideh Moafi, Taylor Dearden and Shawn Hatosy.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
Fantasy managers were nervous about investing in Brown due to possible rotation but one per cent of them were rewarded with a goal, an assist and the scouting bonus.—
Holly Shand,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
17 June 2026
Adjective
-
Criticism of Russia over its invasion of Ukraine is also muted, though ostensible allies in Europe are lambasted for censorship and lax migration policies.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
8 Dec. 2025
-
Early on Saturday morning, the actor took to social media to share a new 18-minute Zoom video featuring the ostensible marketing team behind the A24 film.—
Althea Legaspi,
Rolling Stone,
15 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Now, a seeming contradiction—funding for e-commerce startups is at a low.—
Allie Garfinkle,
Fortune,
25 Nov. 2025
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Also of particular note this year is a seeming explosion of trans music.—
Ana Osorno,
Them.,
19 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Sometimes the dynamic has obvious tensions, but on this trip, I was relieved to be with a duo that seemed to genuinely like each other.—
Heather Richardson,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Dec. 2025
-
Start by getting rid of obvious trash and recycling.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Putative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/putative. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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