so-called

adjective

ˈsō-ˈkȯld How to pronounce so-called (audio)
Synonyms of so-callednext
1
: commonly named
the so-called pocket veto
2
: falsely or improperly so named
deceived by a so-called friend
His so-called explanation only confused us more.

Examples of so-called 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.
The 85-year-old has been running his so-called Never Ending Tour nearly constantly since 1988. — Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 7 July 2026 The park will be built on an empty stretch along Texas 4 near the Starbase office and so-called Starfactory, where the company builds Starship rockets. — Brandon Lingle, San Antonio Express-News, 17 Feb. 2026 The hope is that the technology used in the ‘drop-in’ sustainable fuels – so-called because they can be dropped into any internal combustion engine – can transfer to the broader automotive industry. — Luke Smith, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026 It is set at an elite preparatory school to groom future wives, made up of daughters of Commanders, many of whom have been taken away from their birth parents, and so-called Pearl Girls, recruited from outside of Gilead. — Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for so-called

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of so-called was in the 15th century

Rhymes for so-called

See All Rhymes for so-called

Browse Nearby Words

socager
so-called
so-called dollar
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“So-called.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/so-called. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

so-called

adjective
ˈsō-ˈkȯld
: commonly or popularly but often inaccurately so named
your so-called friend

More from Merriam-Webster on so-called

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for so-called

Nglish: Translation of so-called for Spanish Speakers

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