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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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

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

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

Adding to that sense of inherent agility and the seeming ability to pounce are the standard 21-inch wheels fit with iron brakes, though carbon-ceramic stoppers are also an option.

— Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 23 Sep. 2026
Yet Marcon’s works defy old-world tempos with their pacing (the shots in Monelle, 2017, last no more than a second each), their length (several clock in at under five minutes), and, of course, the seeming ease with which they can be summarized.

— Matthew McLean, Artforum, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of seeming

Adjective

Even when those messages seem obvious or your child already knows them, saying them out loud anyway could help reinforce that their worth was never actually in question.

— Anahi Collado, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026
The most obvious cri de coeur would be for the struggling family farm or animal welfare, but Karen Espersen and Dave Bilinski, the farm’s co-owners, made a surprising appeal to health science.

— J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 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 25 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of putative

adjective

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