as in apparent
appearing to be true on the basis of evidence that may or may not be confirmed
the putative reason for her dismissal was poor job performance
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Recent Examples of putative
That same rationale dictates that putative but unidentified past crimes may not be pardoned.
—
Robert A. Levy, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
In Southeast Asia, researchers have suggested some dental remains and putative tools associated with H. erectus, but there’s limited physical evidence documenting their presence.
—Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Feb. 2025
Then the exhibit barrels forward into our putative downfall, as machine learning starts to replace acting and writing (seen in an unnerving Hollywood conversation in 2031), and then sets its sights on eradicating us messy flesh beings altogether.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 6 Feb. 2025
Now, the putative deep state will be expunged, along with the expertise and procedures that make effective administration possible.
—Russell Muirhead, Foreign Affairs, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for putative
Robert A. Levy, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
In Southeast Asia, researchers have suggested some dental remains and putative tools associated with H. erectus, but there’s limited physical evidence documenting their presence.
—Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Feb. 2025
Then the exhibit barrels forward into our putative downfall, as machine learning starts to replace acting and writing (seen in an unnerving Hollywood conversation in 2031), and then sets its sights on eradicating us messy flesh beings altogether.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 6 Feb. 2025
Now, the putative deep state will be expunged, along with the expertise and procedures that make effective administration possible.
—Russell Muirhead, Foreign Affairs, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for putative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for putative
Adjective
-
Witkoff’s apparent favorability toward negotiations was cited by regional sources speaking to an Israeli newspaper as one reason Khamenei softened up and wrote back to Trump.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
3 Apr. 2025
-
In 1932 Chicago police raided an apparent summit meeting of gangsters, and arrested Lansky and five others on vagrancy charges.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In Europe, projections showed a probable increase in Ambrosia—or ragweed pollen—also linked to rising temperatures.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
9 Apr. 2025
-
The presence of at least six US B-2 stealth bombers in the Indian Ocean and a second aircraft carrier in the Middle East only fueled speculation in Israel that a strike was not only possible, but increasingly probable.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Fans began speculating about a possible Thug album dropping later that night.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2025
-
The six-year initiative, ending in November 2025, aims to shed light on the possible timeframes during which Mars might have been warm and wet, covered in glaciers, and maybe even suitable for life.—
Jonathan O’Callaghan,
JSTOR Daily,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
These include subsidies that give homegrown producers an advantage over U.S. exports; ostensible health rules that are used to keep out foreign products; and loose regulations that encourage the theft of trade secrets and other intellectual property.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Twin Cities,
31 Mar. 2025
-
If her ostensible paramour was marked by sadness and an inability to relate, Molly connects more with places and things.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Emilia Pérez’s turnout in particular was a fall from seeming dominance, perhaps precipitated by Gascón’s controversy.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
3 Mar. 2025
-
That night of violence — with its brutality and seeming lack of a motive — has shaken the community.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Sep. 2024
Adjective
-
Entertainment Fans of the show on social media seem to be missing a lot of crucial character development, and there’s an obvious explanation why.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
10 Apr. 2025
-
In its wildest moments, Coogler’s film seems like a collision of Lovecraft Country with True Blood, though more obvious comparisons will likely be drawn to From Dusk Till Dawn.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Putative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/putative. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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