reportedly

Definition

According to reports or accounts that have been communicated; said to be true based on what others have stated, though not directly verified by the speaker. Commonly used in journalism to attribute information to sources.

Example Usage

The CEO reportedly approved the merger late last week, according to an insider source.

Origin

From 'report,' which comes from Old French 'reporter,' meaning 'to carry back' or 'to relate.'

Fun Fact

It's the go-to term for journalists who want to cite information from anonymous sources without guaranteeing its accuracy.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

Related Terms

Intermediate

stipulate

To formally agree to specific terms or conditions in a contract, or to agree that certain facts are true so you don't have to waste time proving them in court. It's the legal profession's way of saying "fine, we'll accept that for the sake of argument." Also saves billable hours, which is probably the real reason lawyers do it.

⚖️ Legal

Intermediate

incriminate

To provide evidence that makes someone look guilty—either through your own words, actions, or involvement. A favorite term in legal and political contexts when someone accidentally (or deliberately) makes themselves appear complicit.

⚖️ Legal

Advanced

bifurcation

Dividing a trial into separate phases, typically separating liability from damages, essentially legal multitasking that's actually single-tasking in sequence. The judicial version of 'let's take this one step at a time.'

⚖️ Legal

Intermediate

mitigate

The legal version of damage control—reducing the severity of harm, losses, or consequences rather than eliminating them entirely. In litigation, you have a duty to mitigate damages, meaning you can't just sit back and let things get worse then blame the other party. It's the court's way of saying "at least try to help yourself."

⚖️ Legal

Intermediate

embezzlement

The white-collar crime where trusted employees prove they can't be trusted by helping themselves to company funds. It's theft with extra steps and a fancier vocabulary, typically involving someone with financial access who decides their employer's money would look better in their own account. Unlike robbery, embezzlement requires both access and the audacity to pretend it's totally normal to redirect corporate funds to your offshore vacation fund.

⚖️ Legal

Beginner

lawyers

Professionally trained legal gladiators who charge $400/hour to tell you things you could Google, but shouldn't. These bar-certified wordsmiths specialize in translating English into legalese and back again, losing meaning at each conversion. Despite their reputation, they're the only people standing between you and complete legal chaos—or causing it, depending on which side they're on.

⚖️ Legal

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