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supposedly

adverb

sə-ˈpō-zəd-lē How to pronounce supposedly (audio)
Definition of supposedlynext
as in apparently
to all outward appearances she's supposedly too sick to come—or so she says

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 supposedly Spit in a tube, mail it off, get back a number that supposedly reveals how fast your body is actually aging. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 14 Sep. 2026 But what about the broad lines, supposedly caused by hydrogen swirling fast around a black hole? — Quanta Magazine, 14 Sep. 2026 Victims filled out forms, provided personal information and were told about jobs supposedly waiting for them in the United States. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2026 For years, America’s conversation about the Middle East revolved around terrorism, stability, and the supposedly binary choice between friendly dictators and dangerous Islamists. — Ayman M. Mohyeldin, Vanity Fair, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for supposedly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for supposedly
  1. apparently
  2. seemingly
  3. ostensibly
  4. evidently
  5. presumably
  6. probably
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
  • Giles, their left wing-back, seemingly does not stop running.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The latter ensured fewer protests against seemingly endless deployments but also meant that a disproportionate share of the population would bear the burden.
    — Michael E. Neagle, Hartford Courant, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of seemingly
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
  • Put another way—and this is evidently how Gray saw it—Kanarek was always complaining.
    — Ian Parker, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Her fortune evidently changed in 1987, when curator John Hanhardt included her in the Whitney Biennial.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of evidently
Adverb
  • Those costs could presumably be passed onto to consumers too.
    — Keith Laing, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2026
  • As for Kiffin's interesting mind, even if LSU was not technically involved in the case, most of the football players involved in the Baton Rouge court were presumably headed to LSU.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 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

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supposedly
supposes
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Cite this Entry

“Supposedly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supposedly. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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