Meaning & use
purport
To claim or appear to be or do something, often when the claim may be doubtful or false.
See it in a sentence
The document purports to be an original letter, but experts question its authenticity.
He purports to have witnessed the accident, though his account contradicts other testimony.
A note on using this word
Purport nearly always signals skepticism; using it implies the claim has not been proven true.
Words with a similar meaning
claimprofess
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Another way to use it
2. noun
The general meaning or intention of a statement, document, or action.
The purport of her speech was that stricter regulation was urgently needed.
Make it your own
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