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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of putative
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
War warnings, policy reversals, the hunt for AI victims, more than one putative $1 trillion private company looming over the public markets – there's plenty going on.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 23 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
See All Example Sentences for putative
Alfred McCoy, Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
War warnings, policy reversals, the hunt for AI victims, more than one putative $1 trillion private company looming over the public markets – there's plenty going on.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 23 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
See All Example Sentences for putative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for putative
Adjective
-
The apparent bear attack took place nearly three decades after the last deadly bear attack in Glacier National Park occurred in 1998 in the Two Medicine Valley.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
-
But their apparent domestic paradise was thrown into disarray when Betty began to suspect her husband was having an affair with his younger office assistant, Linda Kolkena.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
The presumed reasoning behind why the film was ignored is multilayered.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
In total, eight cases are confirmed, two are probable and one is inconclusive.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
13 May 2026
-
On Monday night before the matchup against Atlanta, Fudd appeared on the Wings’ injury report listed as probable with a right knee injury, but she was downgraded to out an hour before Tuesday’s game.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Closing arguments are on Thursday, and a decision from an advisory jury and the judge overseeing the case, Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, are possible next week.—
John Ruwitch,
NPR,
12 May 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,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
One is this mismatch between the kind of power and ostensible political authority that Starmer has and the size of his vote.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
-
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
Adjective
-
This seeming craze for doing plays that others have already done in other ways can provide familiarity and a shared vocabulary, a framework for fuller appreciation of the work at hand.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Despite some obvious physical scarring and a seeming predilection for contorting her body in creepy ways, Katie seems pretty healthy, or so the Egyptian doctors tell her parents.—
Gregory Nussen,
Deadline,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
There are obvious questions there.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
-
This abuse of power was obvious and alarming.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Putative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/putative. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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