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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 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
  • Banks and financial market infrastructure (FMIs) are getting serious about blockchain again, something that is becoming increasingly apparent in light of major announcements from global banks and financial institutions.
    — Ravi Chamria, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Thompson is the backup to Quentin Johnston, who limped off the practice field with an apparent leg injury this week and didn’t dress for the preseason game.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 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
  • The first term may make the second plausible, compatible or even probable, but plausibility is not identity, compatibility is not implication, probability is not necessity, and similarity of appearance is not proof of sameness of nature.
    — Hamilton Mann, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Officially, probable 2028 POTUS candidate Newsom’s office did not have anything to say about any deal or the end of any deal on SB 122.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of probable
Adjective
  • Muso’s model of proactive community healthcare is showing what becomes possible when care moves closer to families.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 18 Aug. 2026
  • One possible trigger for bitcoin to break out of its unusually calm trading range could come from the bond market.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of possible
Adjective
  • Among those ostensible first steps in the writing trade is to simultaneously storm the gates of literary agents, the subject of Laura McGrath’s Middlemen.
    — M. C. Mah, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Those ostensible allies shrugged off criticism of their destructive interventions in Libya, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.
    — MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of ostensible
Adjective
  • 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
  • Taken further, if the Portis/Hardaway money had gone to Powell in a non-Portis Heat world, then there would not be quite the same seeming desperation to invest much of the remaining cap cash on a Mavericks buyout with Klay Thompson.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of seeming
Adjective
  • The switcheroo trend is one more lighthearted example of internet prank culture, with successful clips in the genre using comically obvious edits to highlight the misdirection and avoid any real danger of defamation.
    — David Mack, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • That connection seems obvious at the linebacker position, on the outside and inside with Carter, Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Tremaine Edmunds and Arvell Reese, the fifth pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
    — Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of obvious

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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 25 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of putative for Spanish Speakers

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