supposed

adjective

sup·​posed sə-ˈpōzd How to pronounce supposed (audio)
senses 1b and 2a usually
sə-ˈpō-zəd How to pronounce supposed (audio)
senses 3 and 4 often
sə-ˈpōst How to pronounce supposed (audio)
1
a
: pretended
twelve hours are supposed to elapse between Acts I and IIW. S. Gilbert
b
: alleged
trusted my supposed friends
2
a
: held as an opinion : believed
also : mistakenly believed : imagined
the sight which makes supposed terror true William Shakespeare
b
: considered probable or certain : expected
it was not supposed that everybody could master the technical aspectsJ. C. Murray
c
: understood
you will be supposed to refer to my grandauntG. B. Shaw
3
: made or fashioned by intent or design
what's that button supposed to do
4
a
: required by or as if by authority
soldiers are supposed to obey their commanding officers
b
: given permission : permitted
was not supposed to have visitors

Examples of supposed in a Sentence

this new computer program is a supposed improvement over the old one
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 Bangkok, Rick and Frank have just infiltrated the home of Rick’s dad’s supposed murderer, which could easily end in homicide. Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2025 Other issues, pointed out by the defense, were the facts that the Alberts’ home — the supposed scene of the crime — was never searched by police and was then sold in the spring of 2023, The Boston Globe reported. Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 18 Mar. 2025 John Robert Leake, a former Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers player, took millions of dollars from friends and acquaintances for supposed investment schemes. Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2025 The problem is the mayor, the supposed guardian of city taxpayers, who apparently can’t say no and who appears to have used the contract talks to buy the manager’s loyalty. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for supposed

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of supposed was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Supposed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supposed. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

supposed

adjective
sup·​posed sə-ˈpōzd How to pronounce supposed (audio)
sense 1 usually
-ˈpō-zəd How to pronounce supposed (audio)
senses 2 & 3 often
-ˈpōst How to pronounce supposed (audio)
1
: believed to be true or real
a supposed cure
2
: considered probable or certain : expected
they are supposed to be here tomorrow
3
: required by or as if by authority
you are supposed to listen to your parents
supposedly
-ˈpō-zəd-lē How to pronounce supposed (audio)
 also  -ˈpōz-dlē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on supposed

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