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so-called

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The definition of so called is something that is alleging to be something you are not sure it is.

(adjective)

An example of so called is when someone says he is an actor but you don't believe he is. You might say "the so-called actor."

See so-called in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

popularly known or called by this term: the so-called nuclear powers
inaccurately or questionably designated as such: a so-called liberal

See so-called in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Commonly called: “new buildings … in so-called modern style” (Graham Greene).
Incorrectly or falsely termed: My so-called friends were gossiping about me again.

Usage Note: Quotation marks are not used to set off descriptions that follow expressions such as so-called and self-styled, which themselves relieve the writer of responsibility for the attribution: his so-called foolproof method (not “foolproof method”).

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