PUTATIVE Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

putative

adjective

ˈpyü-tə-tiv

Definition of putative

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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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

Adjective

The note briefly displayed in court Thursday offered jurors in Clancy’s triple-murder trial perhaps their best glimpse yet at the Massachusetts mother’s apparent perspective on her own struggle with mental health leading up to the killings.

— Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
As students returned to campuses earlier this week to begin a new school year, the district’s worst-case scenario has not come to pass, although its apparent financial reprieve remains fragile.

— Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of apparent

Adjective

Kim said that the orbiter's maneuver brought a slight change in the phase of the spacecraft's orbit, which canceled the probable conjunction between the upper stage and Danuri.

— Leonard David, Space.com, 14 Aug. 2026
Flash flooding and mudslides will be probable, especially in areas of steep terrain.

— Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of probable

Adjective

Mangione's lawyers and federal prosecutors in Manhattan also discussed a possible guilty plea in his federal case in June, sources previously told ABC News.

— Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
With an address right in the heart of Paris, this place is ideal for first-timers who want to see as much as possible, or art lovers who are in town specifically to see the Louvre.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of possible

Adjective

That is the ostensible purpose of a cover, to promote its wares, but also to more mysteriously convey what reading an individual book might feel like.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2026
Mischa Barton portrayed Marissa Cooper, the privileged yet troubled It girl and ostensible female lead, and when she was killed in the season 3 finale after a tragic car accident, fans were left reeling.

— Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 30 July 2026

Definition of ostensible

Adjective

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
Chelsea have now gobbled up 17 non-‘Big Six’ players in the past decade, something which speaks to both their rampant transfer activity and a seeming preference for young players already proven in England’s top division.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of seeming

Adjective

His first season with Bayern Munich, after leaving Liverpool in summer 2023, brought decent numbers but obvious tactical issues, leading to a sale to Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia for nearly the same fee a year later.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Film noir is the most obvious one, and much of the episode takes both its visual cues and its tone from classic noir.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of obvious

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put aside

putative

putatively

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“Putative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/putative. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of putative

adjective

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