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 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 In those pages, Fiedler dared to argue that many of America’s boyish and putatively innocent classics are in fact fantasies of interracial, homosexual romance. — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 1 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for putatively

Adverb

From ayahuasca circles and mail-order ketamine lozenges to off-label peptide injections, IV drips and longevity treatments, there’s a seemingly infinite number of ways to look and feel better that people will swear by in this town.

— Shelby Hartman, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
This summer, take styling cues from seemingly every A-lister (and the cast of The White Lotus) with a pair of large, buggy shades.

— Kelsey Stewart, Glamour, 7 July 2026

Definition of seemingly

Adverb

Bellingham was apparently wearing blood flow restriction shorts.

— Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 12 July 2026
Plans for a data center in Henderson County are apparently on hold for now after the developer did not provide justification for a request to pull a maximum of nearly 2 billion gallons of water a year from Cedar Creek Lake.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2026

Definition of apparently

Adverb

But its appropriation process has come under more intense scrutiny in recent weeks after a supposedly fake investment promotion agency was found to have received allocations from the budget.

— Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 10 July 2026
Also supposedly kicking the tires on Letterboxd is Reddit co-creator Alexis Ohanian, who is founder and general partner of VC firm Seven Seven Six.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 10 July 2026

Definition of supposedly

Adverb

As for interrupting the flow of play, Arena says the three-minute hydration breaks FIFA has introduced each half — ostensibly for player welfare, but in practice to give the TV networks additional commercial breaks — have been more disruptive.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
Buehler turned late and fired a throw ostensibly toward second base that sailed into center field and allowed Marte to trot home.

— Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2026

Definition of ostensibly

Adverb

Ironically, the comments that evidently angered Adebayo stem from screenshots of an Instagram direct message conversation shared on X in recent days that show a profile seemingly run by Herro showing some resentment toward Adebayo.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 July 2026
The Cubs evidently see enough upside in the former Rays left-hander to give him another opportunity, hoping his ability to provide length can eventually translate into value at the big league level.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of evidently

Adverb

The supermodel was seen leaving a SoHo building Friday afternoon, presumably on her way to Swift's Madison Square Garden to Travis Kelce.

— Jennifer McClellan, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Kuo also confirms that the 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max (plus, presumably, the foldable iPhone) will have enough RAM for these top-flight extras.

— David Phelan, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of presumably

Adverb

Managers expecting Spain to reach the final should strongly consider owning him and Yamal, but this is probably a strategy more suited to those chasing — Spain will be underdogs against France.

— Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 14 July 2026
Well, the answer is probably Andrew Watt, a 35-year-old who has built a reputation for hunkering down in the studio with rock legends or pop stars to craft sleek, sturdy albums.

— Ethan Beck, Washington Post, 13 July 2026

Definition of probably

Adverb

As launching hardware becomes routine, demand for these bespoke capabilities will likely keep growing, regardless of who does the building.

— Charlotte Kiang, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
Things also remain precarious in the Strait of Hormuz – and experts say the latest attacks likely won’t remove Iran’s ability to threaten shipping in one of the world’s most important energy arteries.

— Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 9 July 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 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of putatively

adverb

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