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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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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 But the sheer fervor of protest from putative allies stunned Eaddy. — Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 15 June 2026 If that theory still holds, putative 2028 Democratic candidate Rahm Emanuel has an early advantage — in the bike lane. — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 13 June 2026 Many of our putative Gulf allies may rethink their ally-ship. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 30 May 2026 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 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
  • Moselakgomo was the fifth woman found dead in the apparent series of killings.
    — Rael Ombuor The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Brown broke off a 32-yard run and suffered an apparent leg injury.
    — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 19 Sep. 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
  • Across many parts of the city, 100% of properties are projected to face possible or probable subsidence risk in 2030, according to data from the British insurance company Aviva.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Approximately 39% of responders met criteria for probable PTSD.
    — Ava Tsapatsaris, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of probable
Adjective
  • As this is not always possible, there can be competition among rainmakers trying to discredit each other, said 30-year-old Kilindon Simiyu, another of the village's rainmakers.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The sessions are made possible through a partnership between Alpert JFS, the city of Lake Worth Beach, Drug Abuse Foundation, and the Recovery Community HUB of Riviera Beach.
    — Courtney Marx, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of possible
Adjective
  • That puts the onus on Hal, the ostensible hero, to protect the innocent from the explosive fallout of an interplanetary dispute that has nothing to do with them.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2026
  • This organic metaphor, like the more direct invocation of the female body as an icon, seems to represent another aspect of ostensible artistic sincerity that Koether shows herself inclined to distrust.
    — Barry Schwabsky, ARTnews.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of ostensible
Adjective
  • In an interview with Spectrum News, Husted addressed a seeming shift in his position.
    — Maham Javaid, NPR, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The seeming confirmation that Cyberleek has a full build, likely from 2025, opens the door to the possibility that the story of GTA VI could start being spoiled.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of seeming
Adjective
  • Often the most fascinating questions are the ones with no obvious or direct rewards.
    — Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026
  • If an offside decision is obvious, the VAR clears it immediately.
    — Graham Scott, New York Times, 15 Sep. 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 20 Sep. 2026.

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