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Supposed vs Putative - What's the difference?

supposed | putative | Synonyms |

Putative is a synonym of supposed.



As adjectives the difference between supposed and putative

is that supposed is presumed to be true, but without proof while putative is commonly believed or deemed to be the case; accepted by supposition rather than as a result of proof.

As a verb supposed

is past tense of suppose.

supposed

English

Verb

(head)
  • (suppose)

    • Adjective

    (-)
  • Presumed to be true, but without proof
    • Jesus is the supposed son of God.
  • (with infinitive) Generally considered or expected.
    • ''The movie is supposed to be good.
  • (with infinitive) Having an obligation.
    • You are not supposed to smoke in the restaurant.'' [Note: this means, you are obliged ''not to smoke.]
    The phone is supposed to come with a manual.
  • (with infinitive) Intended.
    • The phone is supposed to save us time.

    Derived terms

    * supposedly * supposed to

    Statistics

    * English heteronyms

    putative

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Commonly believed or deemed to be the case; accepted by supposition rather than as a result of proof.
  • * 1879 , Maurice Mauris, "A Materialistic Artist," New York Times , 9 Nov., p. 10:
    • [T]he lady . . . insisted upon going herself, requesting me to mind for a second the baby. . . . lo! the baby awoke and stared at me with a pair of big frightened eyes, which the little thing in another moment rolled in all directions, as if in search of its putative mother.
  • * 1989 , , " US must support Thailand if Cambodia is to survive," Milwaukee Sentinel'' ''(Los Angeles Times Service) , 28 Oct. (retrieved 15 Sep. 2009):
    • Just as Prince Sihanouk is fronting for the Khmer Rouge today . . . so also was he their putative leader from 1970 to 1975.
  • * 2006 , Unmesh Kher, " No Neat Endings for the JonBenet Case," Time , 18 Aug.:
    • Karr's past does raise suspicions. When he was arrested in Bangkok, he was living in a dormitory-like guesthouse in a neighborhood frequented by sex tourists. . . . Of course, Karr's putative pedophilia would not make him guilty of murder.

    Synonyms

    * ostensible, purported, reputed, supposed