so-called
Americanadjective
-
called or designated thus.
the so-called Southern bloc.
-
incorrectly called or styled thus.
so-called intellectuals.
adjective
Etymology
Origin of so-called
First recorded in 1650–60
Explanation
When you say someone is a so-called pacifist, you are suggesting that they are a pacifist in name only. While they are busy making everyone talk about how peaceful they are, chances are they're also bombing villages to dust. Using the word so-called is a great way to point out systemic hypocrisy and is a much-beloved tool of street preachers and conspiracy cranks the world over. They might talk about our so-called democracy being in fact a sham, and our so-called democratic elections being rigged by forces beyond our control.
Vocabulary lists containing so-called
Booked
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The Losers Club
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We Are Displaced
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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.
Researchers had previously observed this so-called "turnover" state only in vanadium and iron-only nitrogenases.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 19, 2026
One reason the shares of so-called smid-cap energy stocks that insiders are buying look cheap is that they have failed to keep up with oil prices, Messier told me in a recent interview.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 19, 2026
At the time, the so-called "mega dinghy" set a record for the largest number of migrants brought over on a small boat in recent years.
From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026
Almost every commercial aircraft flying today uses the so-called bleed air system that draws compressed, unfiltered air directly from the engine into the aircraft.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026
“Well, impart this to your so-called pupils. Tell ‘em to keep off my property.
From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck
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.
