supposed
adjective
sup·posed
sə-ˈpōzd 
senses 1b and 2a usually
sə-ˈpō-zəd
senses 3 and 4 often
sə-ˈpōst
1
2
b
: considered probable or certain : expected
It was not supposed that everybody could master the technical aspects …—
J. C. Murray
J. C. Murray
c
: understood
… you will be supposed to refer to my grandaunt …—George Bernard Shaw
George Bernard Shaw3
: 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
If this is your first outing with the play, you could be forgiven for losing the thread or for wondering why, after the burial of his supposed beloved, as Fate’s hand is squeezing him ever tighter, the hero takes a clunky pause to debate with himself about the ethics of suicide.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 5 May 2026
When Powell did not resign, Trump initiated the criminal investigation of him for supposed mismanagement of Fed building renovations.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 3 May 2026
Saks’s financial relationship with vendors has frayed as chargebacks (fees for supposed violations of shipping manuals or packaging rules) moved from occasional nuisance to what Pollet characterized as a structured revenue stream.
—Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 28 Feb. 2026
But a handful of anglers, influencers, and content creators have gone public about their own experiences with DTF over the last week, and the supposed scam league is now dominating most corners of the online fishing space.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for supposed
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Sara Holdren, Vulture, 5 May 2026
When Powell did not resign, Trump initiated the criminal investigation of him for supposed mismanagement of Fed building renovations.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 3 May 2026
Saks’s financial relationship with vendors has frayed as chargebacks (fees for supposed violations of shipping manuals or packaging rules) moved from occasional nuisance to what Pollet characterized as a structured revenue stream.
—Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 28 Feb. 2026
But a handful of anglers, influencers, and content creators have gone public about their own experiences with DTF over the last week, and the supposed scam league is now dominating most corners of the online fishing space.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for supposed
Cite this Entry
“Supposed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supposed. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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
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