PURPORTS Synonyms: 134 Similar and Opposite Words

purports 1 of 2

noun

plural of purport

as in contents

the idea that is conveyed or intended to be conveyed to the mind by language, symbol, or action was able to give the purport of the governor's speech in a few words

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

purports

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of purport

as in intends

to have in mind as a purpose or goal do you purport to spend the rest of your life on that couch, or do you think you might get a job someday?

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in alleges

to state as a fact usually forcefully he purports to be an expert in criminalistics

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of purports

Noun

For some, the biggest risk would come if others in the region simply don’t trust the restrictions the Saudi deal purports to include. — Howard Lafranchi, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Aug. 2026 One video that quickly went viral purports to show Israeli soldiers beating locals opposed to the project. — Larry Luxner, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2026 Video shows corpses outside capital Meanwhile, video circulating online purports to show dozens of bodies in a morgue on the outskirts of Iran’s capital. — Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026 Instead, Trump purports to have valid cause. — Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 11 Jan. 2026 The law applies to state and local agencies and purports to cover federal officers operating in California, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who have worn masks during recent neighborhood enforcement actions. — Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025

Verb

An army of trial watchers purports, without proof, that Clancy is entirely innocent—that she was somehow framed by Patrick, who has testified in her defense. — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026 The Lynx, a WNBA-best 30-7, have championship aspirations but still have time to deliver regular-season smoke to a Valkyries squad that purports to be on their level. — Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 As traditionally understood, a movie purports to tell a story to an audience whose ideal state is one of relative ignorance. — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026 While Bret purports to understand, there are unmistakable tears in his eyes. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026 This sequel, however, purports to bring the character back to basics, offering a street-level adventure after far too many big crossovers. — David Sims, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026 Women are starting businesses faster than anyone in America, supported by a narrative that purports entrepreneurship as a path to economic independence and generational wealth creation. — Aparna Rae, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 However, there is some data that purports that some days of the week will, on average, have less expensive airfare than others. — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 June 2026 Luke purports to know his way around a few recipes. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 8 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for purports

Noun

Scientists use this technique, called candling — which historically entailed holding up a burning candle — to assess the contents of shark eggs for health, viability and genetic diversity.

— Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
This way auditors, regulators, and even customers can confirm a record is genuine without seeing its contents.

— Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of contents

Verb

The campaign intends to hire a Jewish liaison and is in the midst of an interview process for the role, which includes talking with Jewish community leaders, a person familiar with the campaign told JTA.

— Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
Sebastian Kim, head of the content business Unit at CJ ENM, said the series had opened a door the company intends to keep pushing through.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of intends

Verb

Shelley alleges her superior, Woodie Dixon, Golden State’s chief legal officer, was not present for her termination meeting, violating team policy.

— Devon Henderson, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
The lawsuit alleges four families with addresses in Mansfield, Georgia have had irreparable damage to their property and quality of life throughout the construction and operation of the Meta data center.

— Irene Wright, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of alleges

Noun

The reign of Republicans during the Civil War and Reconstruction was a democratic breakthrough in two senses.

— Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
However, human problems appear real according to the information gathered from the five corporeal senses.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of senses

Verb

And regardless of whether General Motors plans on selling these to a wider audience or just a select few—or even just one person like Porsche did for Roger Penske—the task of dumbing down one of the world’s most advanced race cars is no small feat.

— Jerry Perez, The Drive, 3 Sep. 2026
The office plans to be on site Thursday to talk with residents.

— Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of plans

Verb

Israel insists this is allowed under the latest ceasefire agreement.

— Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
But that sympathy can’t quite make up for the galling fact of Nelson’s sons, now teenagers stuck in limbo as a father figure stubbornly insists on courting further ruin.

— Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of insists

Noun

The leader of the United Kingdom’s Green Party has announced his intentions to run for the seat in Parliament vacated by former Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2026
There were good intentions behind the concept, but a chunk of viewers left the program — and have not come back.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of intentions

Verb

Beijing aims to transform the region into a high-altitude green energy powerhouse, with projects that include a $168 billion megadam, currently under construction, that could stretch the limits of what human engineering has achieved.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
This shift aims to secure more predictable, recurring revenue and higher user retention, mitigating the volatility of hardware sales.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of aims

Browse Nearby Words

purporting

purports

purpose

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Purports.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purports. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of purports

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

matriculate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes