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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.

Unverified footage has also emerged purportedly showing a peaceful sit-in protest at the capital's Beheshti University.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2026

Thousands of these subscribers were already deceased at the time they were purportedly enrolled in the program.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 2026

In the video, purportedly made with AI, the "minister" appeared as a woman dressed in a traditional Albanian outfit and said it was "not here to replace people".

From Barron's • Feb. 11, 2026

The DOJ filed the suit the day after purportedly soliciting Moncla’s materials, the activists said.

From Salon • Feb. 10, 2026

If there’s no match, Estimo can press his claim that the samples purportedly taken from Fischer’s body are fraudulent.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

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.