purportedly

adverb

pur·​port·​ed·​ly (ˌ)pər-ˈpȯr-təd-lē How to pronounce purportedly (audio)
Synonyms of purportedlynext
: it is purported : ostensibly, allegedly

Examples of purportedly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In July, prosecutors played footage of an interview with Twiggs and presented text messages purportedly sent between the pair. — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 The 35-year-old man acted wealthy, sending photos and videos of himself purportedly in designer clothes, nice cars and expensive jewelry, the criminal complaint said. — Idaho Statesman, 28 Aug. 2026 But as the third and purportedly final chapter of the trilogy, a smart campaign will get awards voters focused on the enormity of the Dune endeavor as a whole, on par with the Lord of the Rings trilogy. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026 With Watts purportedly stressed about finances in the wake of the Late Late Show’s end, McCollough volunteered to subsidize his costs by running his social media accounts and handling odd jobs like manning his merch stand. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for purportedly

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of purportedly was in 1942

Rhymes for purportedly

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Browse Nearby Words

purported
purportedly
purportless
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Purportedly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purportedly. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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