Definitions

so-called

[soh-kawld] / ˈsoʊˈkɔld /

ADJECTIVE

supposed

Synonyms

STRONGEST

alleged formal purported self-styled

WEAK

allegedly commonly named itular nominal ostensible pretended professed self-named soi-disant wrongly named

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Musk’s voting power will make SpaceX a so-called controlled company, exempt from certain Nasdaq corporate-governance requirements.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2026

City Council to limit so-called pretextual stops, in which officers pull people over for minor traffic infractions in order to investigate more serious offenses.

From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 2026

Instead, the so-called autopsy was a shambolic train wreck of missing paragraphs, factual errors, and apparent plagiarism.

From Slate • May 23, 2026

SpaceX spokesperson Dan Huot said the booster failed to complete its so-called boost-back burn after launch.

From BBC • May 23, 2026

Gideon McSorley was a mouse a class or two ahead of him and Lamont’s so-called best friend.

From "Secrets at Sea" by Richard Peck

Vocabulary lists containing so-called

Booked

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The Losers Club

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We Are Displaced

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