Definition of supposednext

supposed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of suppose
1
as in estimated
to decide the size, amount, number, or distance of (something) without actual measurement if we suppose a minimum profit of $10,000 from the charity auction, we should be able to pay for the family's medical expenses

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4

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 supposed
Adjective
But clearly any supposed rivalry between the legendary bands is water under the bridge. Peter Gicas, Entertainment Weekly, 14 July 2026
Verb
As an imperial family member who is not supposed to make political statements, Akishino was nuanced in his comments. ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026 Turning this whole thing into a joke also undermines the danger of the Trawler — just how seriously are we supposed to take this threat? Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026 In a wide-ranging interview that includes Carter’s thoughts on Ryan Coogler’s upcoming X-Files reboot and reflections on the show’s final seasons, the filmmaker explains why this is how the movie was always supposed to be. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 13 Aug. 2026 Both Brown and Proctor said they were supposed resume classes on Monday, Homewood-Flossmoor High School remained closed to student activities, athletics and staff meetings for the rest of this week. Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026 But that moment, that is an ad-lib because the line was [supposed to be] very calm. Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2026 This was not supposed to be a film about drug addiction, per se. Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2026 They’re not supposed to be testing his loyalty, much less taking it for granted. Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026 But wasn’t there supposed to be another satellite service, from Amazon, which will compete with Starlink? Daniela Suarez, NBC news, 12 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for supposed
Adjective
  • The presumed reasoning behind why the film was ignored is multilayered.
    Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The number of fatal encounters between hippos and humans are not known, but are estimated at a minimum of 500 deaths each year.
    Dennis Romero, NBC news, 8 Aug. 2026
  • In December 2024, the Pentagon estimated that China’s rocket force had boosted its missile supply by 50% in the preceding four years.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Mueller was appointed and assumed office as police chief in Stillwater in January 2021.
    Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 12 Aug. 2026
  • As of now, most people have assumed that Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie who disappeared in early 2026, won’t be found alive.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Despite the help from aircraft, law enforcement could not locate the suspects after searching all of the rail cars investigators believed the burglars entered.
    Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The church was designed by Wallace Rayfield, believed to be the second practicing African-American architect in the country.
    Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Prosecutors said Flores used the recordings to cash in on his job at the department without working.
    Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Jen Gauthier, Raytheon’s vice president for Naval Systems & Sustainment, said the demonstration supports faster development of autonomous undersea capabilities.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Pride in our rising football team is already apparent across campus and is growing throughout the surrounding neighborhoods.
    Monique Carroll, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
  • An apparent Education Department data error is causing student loan forgiveness credit to be wiped out overnight, setting borrowers back and causing widespread panic.
    Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The demonstration calculated the electrostatic interaction energy of nitric oxide reductase, a chemically complex metalloenzyme system.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The Maya, for example, observed and calculated intervals between solar and lunar eclipses, building predictions and calendars around the pattern.
    Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The big reason passkeys are safer is that they can't be stolen, copied, or guessed.
    Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Sometimes PLCs have no passwords or easily guessed ones, security experts told CBS News.
    Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Supposed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supposed. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on supposed

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster