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.
But when the client, Xiuying Zhu, complained about the services, Dong sent her another bill for $1,500, along with a letter purportedly signed by an attorney. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026 Publishers sold albums of facsimile autographs, and the interest developed into the field of graphology, the practice of analyzing a person’s handwriting to purportedly discern personality traits. — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026 The company is also reportedly teaming up with LG on new smart home devices that will launch at the event, including a video doorbell, thermostat, and indoor camera, and renders leaked yesterday that purportedly showed off some of those devices. — Jay Peters, The Verge, 8 Oct. 2026 Videos circulating on social media appeared to show the moment of impact as vehicles crossed the bridge, including footage purportedly recorded by a driver's dashcam. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 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
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Cite this Entry

“Purportedly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purportedly. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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