putative

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for March 16, 2026 is: putative \PYOO-tuh-tiv\ adjective Putative is a formal word used to describe something that is generally believed, supposed, or assumed to be something specified. It is always used before a noun. // The group's putative leader was conspicuously absent from the meeting. [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/putative) Examples: "... the painting is swept up in questions of identity, provenance, authenticity and putative value." — Manohla Dargis, The New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025 Did you know? There's no need to make assumptions about the root behind putative—we know it comes from a form of the Latin verb putare, which means "to consider" or "to think." Putative is a rather formal word that has been part of English since the 15th century. Like [apparent](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alleged), [presumed](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/presumed), and [ostensible](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ostensible), it leaves room for a smidgen of doubt: a putative ally will very probably be there for you, and a putative successor is very likely to be the next one in charge, but life offers no guarantees in either case.