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Purportedly vs Supposedly - What's the difference?

purportedly | supposedly |

Supposedly is a synonym of purportedly.



As adverbs the difference between purportedly and supposedly

is that purportedly is supposedly, putatively, or reputedly while supposedly is as a matter of supposition; in the beliefs or according to the claims of some people.

purportedly

English

Adverb

(-)
  • supposedly, putatively or reputedly

    • supposedly

    English

    Adverb

    (-)
  • As a matter of supposition; in the beliefs or according to the claims of some people.
    • People from other planets have supposedly visited Earth in flying saucers.
    According to your testimony, you were supposedly at home watching TV when the murder occurred.
  • * 2011 , Tom Fordyce, Rugby World Cup 2011: England 12-19 France [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/15210221.stm]
    • France were supposedly a team in pieces, beaten by Tonga just a week ago and with coach Marc Lievremont publicly berating his players, but so clear-cut was their victory that much of the atmosphere had been sucked from the contest long before the end.

    Synonyms

    * purportedly

    See also

    * supposably