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Synonyms

purportedly

American  
[per-pawr-tid-lee] / pərˈpɔr tɪd li /

adverb

  1. according to what is or has been claimed, reputed, or asserted; allegedly.

    The upcoming version of the tablet will purportedly feature a brand new processor, but no other details are yet known.

    The defendant has not listed the brokers and valuation professionals with whom he purportedly consulted, nor has he told us the questions that he purportedly asked them.

Etymology

Origin of purportedly

purported ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Hoiberg credited the purportedly haunted Oklahoma City hotel the Huskers had been staying in.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026

The message, purportedly from the North Korea athletics association's general secretary, thanked "all the Elite Marathoners and Amateur Runners of the world who are interested in Pyongyang International Marathon".

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026

As responses came in from the companies that were purportedly Brahmbhatt’s business partners, an HPS analyst noticed the fake email domains.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

The intent is purportedly “to strengthen our footing and sharpen our focus on delivering the distinctive journalism that sets The Post apart and, most importantly, engages our customers.”

From Salon • Feb. 6, 2026

It fell to Ernest Lawrence, purportedly the only other witness to the conversation, to break the deadlock.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.