PUTATIVELY Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

putatively

adverb

as in seemingly

to all outward appearances the lake's putatively pristine water is actually crawling with microorganisms that can wreak havoc with your gastrointestinal system

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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 putatively Miller has long been concerned with some of the actions taken after 9/11, putatively in her name, against Muslims in general. — Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026 The eight-story glass building at the center of the complex, which had putatively been devoted to vaccine manufacturing, was in fact a highly classified defense facility. — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 25 July 2026 Such agencies are putatively created to provide expert advice to the president on complex issues such as nuclear technology and consumer product safety. — Laurent Belsie, Christian Science Monitor, 29 June 2026 But with supposedly or putatively race-neutral methods, for 100 years, the right to vote was denied. — CBS News, 4 May 2026 From the perspective of a world of increasingly unimaginable maldistribution of resources, cascading ecological collapse, a genocide cheered on by a putatively liberal order, both are barbarisms. — Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025 Over the next several years, Leo, through the Judicial Crisis Network, continued to back conservative candidates in Wisconsin, where judicial elections are, putatively, nonpartisan. — Andy Kroll, ProPublica, 11 Oct. 2023

Recent Examples of Synonyms for putatively

Adverb

The premise for prevention is to create an accountability role for everyone to play, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Many of the seemingly absurd projects celebrated by the Ig Nobels have gone on to inspire practical advances in scientific knowledge.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of seemingly

Adverb

The brothers were apparently never scheduled to appear at the conference, though journalists and fans in the room seemed to not be aware of this.

— Ellise Shafer, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
Although law firms are beginning to embrace the benefits of generative AI, the technology apparently makes many law schools squeamish.

— Sian Leah Beilock, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of apparently

Adverb

Most players largely celebrate their own successes, rather than their opponents’ errors, and antics like those supposedly violate the sport’s unwritten behavioral codes.

— Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
According to legend, a traveling salesman saw the escape artist in the booth and locked him inside, supposedly causing Houdini to furiously attempt to kick his way out.

— Dan Kelly, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of supposedly

Adverb

The result is a twisted, naturalistic fairytale about structural realities; with the right boot-heel at one’s neck, even ostensibly life-giving forces like forests and rivers can be turned against innocent people.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
But challengers emerged and weakened its quest for dominance, often with different models ostensibly tailored to be more local.

— Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of ostensibly

Adverb

Under such a contract, customers (like the Navy) will request Seasat to supply the boats, launch them, maintain them, operate the autonomous system, and presumably provide the sensor/data service.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
That his family doesn’t aggressively question him and the director doesn’t aggressively question him presumably is what allowed Tez to do this wild thing in the first place, and helps the documentary simulate objectivity.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of presumably

Adverb

Eddie Hall, probably the UK’s most famous strongman, won the World’s Strongest Man title in 2017 and was the first to deadlift 500kg.

— Rob Tanner, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
For example, everyone on the boat and probably innocent citizens in Dubrovnik can tell that Kat and Cooper are still an item.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of probably

Adverb

The price was steep for Evangelista, but the first-round pick will likely be late in the round assuming Colorado remains one of the top teams in the league.

— Peter Baugh, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Other people who have these kinds of professions can challenge themselves by not relying on navigation devices, and their brains will likely benefit from it, Wood says.

— Renée Onque, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of likely

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putative

putatively

put away

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“Putatively.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/putatively. Accessed 8 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of putatively

adverb

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