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—G. B. Shaw
G. B. 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
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
YouTubers are used to carefully scanning supposed offers to weed out the real ones from the fakes.
—Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 19 Dec. 2024
The supposed master negotiator is signaling his willingness to sacrifice Ukraine to Russia before formal negotiations even start.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2025
The Danish government dismissed Trump’s idea and critics mocked his supposed naivety.
—Ryan P. Burke, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for supposed
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Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2025
YouTubers are used to carefully scanning supposed offers to weed out the real ones from the fakes.
—Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 19 Dec. 2024
The supposed master negotiator is signaling his willingness to sacrifice Ukraine to Russia before formal negotiations even start.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2025
The Danish government dismissed Trump’s idea and critics mocked his supposed naivety.
—Ryan P. Burke, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for supposed
Articles Related to supposed
Cite this Entry
“Supposed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supposed. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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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