supposedly

adverb

sə-ˈpō-zəd-lē How to pronounce supposedly (audio)
Definition of supposedlynext
as in apparently
to all outward appearances she's supposedly too sick to come—or so she says

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 supposedly The incident supposedly happened after an AI agent was granted access on the server from Mastiff. — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 2026 The microphone's quality, although supposedly improved, still leaves a little to be desired for voice calls. — Christian De Looper, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026 This is among the many depredations that this supposedly mainstream Administration has committed. — David Remnick, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026 In their place is a world reduced to a wasteland by an environmental cataclysm, supposedly caused by Korra herself. — Alison Herman, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for supposedly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for supposedly
  1. apparently
  2. seemingly
  3. ostensibly
  4. evidently
  5. presumably
  6. probably
Adverb
  • That little girl was apparently perfectly built for fraud, somehow, and found the perfect environment in Silicon Valley, where exaggeration and outright lying were de rigueur.
    — Torie Bosch, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Just before the second half began, a number of fans were given transgender pride flags, apparently in an effort to obstruct other spectators' view of the banner and XX-XY supporters.
    — Matt Calkins , Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of apparently
Adverb
  • Unicycles and prizes By now, a light drizzle has set in, but the two unicyclists are still making their rounds in the car park, seemingly undeterred.
    — Julie Bourdin, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Despite the collaborative nature of Act V, the power play came out when Usher sat on a throne with a diamond crown— seemingly asserting himself as R&B’s King.
    — Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of seemingly
Adverb
  • Reiki rests on the same premise but, ostensibly, can be done remotely, even via Zoom.
    — Torie Bosch, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The remaining ads were sponsored by independent candidates or groups weighing in on issues that were not ostensibly partisan.
    — Anagilmara Vílchez, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of ostensibly
Adverb
  • Maria was also, evidently, happy to advise those who wanted to follow in her footsteps.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The fire evidently began with an explosion, the department said via Facebook.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of evidently
Adverb
  • The fear of effeminization has never felt so acute, which presumably is why Matt Damon’s Odysseus needed bulging muscles, to ensure his sensitivity was mitigated by pecs of steel.
    — Jay Weissberg, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Levering pointed out users on social media presumably used the technology to transpose Uecker’s voice over the game-clinching call from Game 4 of the NLCS last Thursday.
    — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of presumably
Adverb
  • So the theoretical maximum is 256 ESSMs rather than 64 missiles, although a practical loadout would probably mix missile types.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The overall answer probably won't surprise you, but the nitty-gritty details might.
    — Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of probably

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supposedly
supposes
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Cite this Entry

“Supposedly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supposedly. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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