purportedly
Americanadverb
Etymology
Origin of purportedly
Explanation
If something purportedly happened, it may or may not have actually occurred. If your brother purportedly knows nothing about the cookies you left on the kitchen counter, it means he claims to be innocent of cookie theft. Whether or not you believe him, well, that's another story... When you use purportedly it means you only know what you've been told, or what appears to be the case, not necessarily what the entire truth is. A dog that purportedly doesn't bite is still scary when it's barking at you. And although your friend is purportedly only joking when she says she hates your haircut, it may still hurt your feelings. You can also use the synonyms "supposedly" or "allegedly."
Vocabulary lists containing purportedly
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
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Not Here to Be Liked
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The New Jim Crow
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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.
Unified complaint as a Delaware corporation purportedly based in Texas and founded on March 26, 2021.
From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026
In recent years, Pyongyang has blown up roads and railways linking it with the South, and purportedly built barriers near the border.
From Barron's • May 8, 2026
Yet, as Joshua Douglas writes, Alito ignores any assessment of Congress’ “results” language in his purportedly textual analysis.
From Slate • Apr. 30, 2026
And then an image purportedly showing Neukgu trotting down a city street was widely circulated - leading authorities to expand their search beyond the zoo.
From BBC • Apr. 15, 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.
