putative

adjective

ˈpyü-tə-tiv How to pronounce putative (audio)
Definition of putativenext
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

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 These putative restorers of greatness evoke a vision of the past that never was and sell it to those who feel a loss of identity in the present. — Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 28 May 2026 The putative mechanism is a settlement with the Internal Revenue Service. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026 In July 2025, a New York district court dismissed trademark and copyright claims in a putative class-action lawsuit filed by voice actors against the AI voiceover company Lovo. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 14 May 2026 In the absence of a putative A-list candidate, the crowded field has yielded good, healthy competition. — Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for putative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for putative
  1. apparent
  2. presumed
  3. probable
  4. possible
  5. ostensible
  6. seeming
  7. obvious
Adjective
  • That was until the nearby linesman alerted him to the fact that the goal was disallowed for an apparent foul.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 18 July 2026
  • That may also explain the apparent disconnect between the secondary and primary markets.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of apparent
Adjective
  • The presumed reasoning behind why the film was ignored is multilayered.
    — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 8 Aug. 2025
Definition of presumed
Adjective
  • On Sunday, the Braves announced their probable starting pitchers for an upcoming four-game series against the Padres this week at Truist Park.
    — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 19 July 2026
  • Because of the probable length of the report, Silver was asked about reading such a voluminous amount of information and if things would be resolved before the start of next season.
    — Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
Definition of probable
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, 14 July 2026
  • Probably the producers felt that introducing seven players all at once needed to go as quickly as possible.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 July 2026
Definition of possible
Adjective
  • The tea party emerged during Barack Obama’s presidency as a far-right ideological movement with an ostensible focus on fiscal conservatism.
    — Charlie Hunt, The Conversation, 7 July 2026
  • Second-year center Ariel Hukporti is at it again — and so is his ostensible drinking mate, Jeremy Sochan.
    — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 18 June 2026
Definition of ostensible
Adjective
  • These innocuous-seeming actions can kindle dry vegetation, potentially spawning a wildfire.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
  • The princess was spotted wearing a gold nautical charm bracelet on her wrist—a seeming nod to the one famously given to her late grandmother Princess Diana by her then-husband Prince Charles after their wedding on July 29, 1981.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 13 July 2026
Definition of seeming
Adjective
  • Happy Gilmore is another obvious inspiration (even without the Netflix of it all) whenever Lonnie throws his clubs, talks to his ball, and calls on fans to chant his name before taking a swing.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 July 2026
  • That particular prompt may have been rejected for an obvious reason, though.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 16 July 2026
Definition of obvious

Browse Nearby Words

put aside
putative
putatively
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Cite this Entry

“Putative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/putative. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on putative

Nglish: Translation of putative for Spanish Speakers

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