supposed
adjective
sup·posed
sə-ˈpōzd 
senses 1b and 2a usually
sə-ˈpō-zəd
senses 3 and 4 often
sə-ˈpōst
1
2
b
: considered probable or certain : expected
it was not supposed that everybody could master the technical aspects—
J. C. Murray
J. C. Murray
c
: understood
you will be supposed to refer to my grandaunt—G. B. Shaw
G. B. Shaw3
: made or fashioned by intent or design
what's that button supposed to do
4
a
: required by or as if by authority
soldiers are supposed to obey their commanding officers
b
: given permission : permitted
was not supposed to have visitors
Examples of supposed in a Sentence
this new computer program is a supposed improvement over the old one
Recent Examples on the Web
Back in 2003, just months after the U.S. invaded Iraq, toppling President Saddam Hussein on the pretext of supposed weapons of mass destruction that never materialized, Libyan leader Muammar el-Qaddafi agreed to shutter his nation's burgeoning nuclear program in exchange for peace with Washington.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
The internet had been buzzing with rumors that her seductive serenade during the R&B superstar’s live performance sparked a breakup with a supposed husband, but Tillman is calling it all fan fiction.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Anne argues that Tarantino is passing the project on to Fincher in order to avoid making the film his supposed 10th, and likely won’t force Netflix’s hand into giving the film a more plum theatrical window.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 4 Apr. 2025
In Bangkok, Rick and Frank have just infiltrated the home of Rick’s dad’s supposed murderer, which could easily end in homicide.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for supposed
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David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
The internet had been buzzing with rumors that her seductive serenade during the R&B superstar’s live performance sparked a breakup with a supposed husband, but Tillman is calling it all fan fiction.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Anne argues that Tarantino is passing the project on to Fincher in order to avoid making the film his supposed 10th, and likely won’t force Netflix’s hand into giving the film a more plum theatrical window.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 4 Apr. 2025
In Bangkok, Rick and Frank have just infiltrated the home of Rick’s dad’s supposed murderer, which could easily end in homicide.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for supposed
Cite this Entry
“Supposed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supposed. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
1
: believed to be true or real
a supposed cure
2
: considered probable or certain : expected
they are supposed to be here tomorrow
3
: required by or as if by authority
you are supposed to listen to your parents
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