purported

[per-pawr-tid]

adjective

1. reputed or claimed; alleged.

   We saw no evidence of his purported wealth.

purported

/ pɜːˈpɔːtɪd /

adjective

1. alleged; supposed; rumoured

   a purported two million dollar deal

Other Word Forms

• purportedly adverb
• unpurported adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of purported¹

First recorded in 1890–95; purport + -ed ²

Example Sentences

Americans with normal levels of basic decency let their consciences prevent them from exploiting the death of a purported friend before he’s even buried.

From Salon

The use of tariff threats as a cudgel to try to save an ally from legal peril also gives lie to the purported rationale behind tariffs: protecting U.S. manufacturers or correcting trade imbalances.

From Los Angeles Times

The chain purported to bring a “country hospitality experience to the big city,” complete with “entertainment on the front porch, rocking chairs, classic Cracker Barrel games and crave-worthy food.”

From Los Angeles Times

A member of the crowd called Vance a “couch f**ker,” a reference to a fake excerpt purported to be from his memoir “Hillbilly Elegy.”

From Salon

There was no deal and little detail on purported areas of progress.

From Salon

Related Words

• so-called 
• stated 
• supposed