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
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Recent Examples of putative
For those wearing the putative target on their back, this can surely be agonizing.
—
Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026
The criteria for these distinctions—between putative immigrant and indelible alien—are not complicated; for above all, The Homeland is a racist project.
—Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026
Numerous local landmarks pay homage to the putative outer-space visitor, whose appearance three decades ago is being honored in Varginha this weekend.
—Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 22 Jan. 2026
In the putative May 17, 2024 message, Lively, 38 — who starred in and served as a producer on the Colleen Hoover adaptation — began by thanking Matt for considering watching the film and warning him about its subject matter.
—Elizabeth Rosner, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for putative
Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026
The criteria for these distinctions—between putative immigrant and indelible alien—are not complicated; for above all, The Homeland is a racist project.
—Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026
Numerous local landmarks pay homage to the putative outer-space visitor, whose appearance three decades ago is being honored in Varginha this weekend.
—Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 22 Jan. 2026
In the putative May 17, 2024 message, Lively, 38 — who starred in and served as a producer on the Colleen Hoover adaptation — began by thanking Matt for considering watching the film and warning him about its subject matter.
—Elizabeth Rosner, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for putative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for putative
Adjective
-
Parker was the second person to die in sheriff’s custody this year, and the first apparent suicide in more than two years.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The influence is apparent even among non-evangelicals.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The presumed reasoning behind why the film was ignored is multilayered.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Sixth man Payton Pritchard was upgraded to probable after missing the Spurs game with a neck spasm.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Fontecchio is listed as probable.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
11 Mar. 2026
-
During heavy rain, flooding is possible, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The earlier film, directed by James Whale, begins with a campy scene of Mary Shelley telling her husband—Percy Bysshe Shelley—and Lord Byron of her plans for a sequel, setting up the film as the fulfillment of that ostensible wish.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Compared with the ostensible consequences of the prisoner’s dilemma, getting fleeced in the snowdrift problem’s scenario isn’t quite as disastrous.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
These innocuous-seeming actions can kindle dry vegetation, potentially spawning a wildfire.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Kate and Camilla appeared to have coordinated their Commonwealth Day outfits, as the royal women chose navy blue and red in a seeming nod to the Union Jack colors on March 9.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
There was no obvious precipitating event, but the encroachment of Grok seemed foreboding.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
-
What is obvious is the Dolphins aren’t going the Wizards route.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Putative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/putative. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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