: generally accepted : common
a healthy skepticism about received explanations—
B. K. Lewalski
B. K. Lewalski
Synonyms
Examples of received in a Sentence
Adjective
What was radical thinking in times past has become received wisdom today.
traditionally the received opinion was that, in the event of a divorce, the mother should get custody of the children
Recent Examples on the WebBarbara Lippert, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Nov. 2023
The series stands apart, though, for showing how Banerjee, born in India, uses a learned idea of American appetites to pursue a received idea of the American dream.
—James Poniewozik, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2022
This finding contradicted the received wisdom at the time that a new species would not arise if the existing population was still in contact and exchanging genes.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 30 Jan. 2023
The paper upturned the received wisdom of the grasshopper origin story.
—Mark Barna, Discover Magazine, 23 Aug. 2018
Our findings have overturned much of the received wisdom about the ways human energy requirements change over the course of a lifetime.
—Herman Pontzer, Scientific American, 12 Dec. 2022
The received wisdom around Cubism treats these words and letters, especially the J-O-U of the Cubists’ favorite scandal sheet Le Journal, as signs set free of their original meanings.
—Jason Farago, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2022
For years, the DNA held no matches, but about two years ago, the victims one by one received phone calls that there was finally a face and name to match to the elusive attacker who had altered the trajectory of all their lives.
—Taylor Hartz, Hartford Courant, 24 Oct. 2022
With voters unlikely to accept another nine-week leadership contest during a time of economic crisis, the received wisdom is that any transfer of power would have to be a coronation rather than a competition.
—Rosa Prince, CNN, 19 Oct. 2022
Adjective
But despite this vetting, The Hollywood Reporter has discovered several inconsistencies regarding both his work history and recent romantic entanglements that contradict the received narrative.
—Barbara Lippert, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Nov. 2023
The series stands apart, though, for showing how Banerjee, born in India, uses a learned idea of American appetites to pursue a received idea of the American dream.
—James Poniewozik, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2022
This finding contradicted the received wisdom at the time that a new species would not arise if the existing population was still in contact and exchanging genes.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 30 Jan. 2023
The paper upturned the received wisdom of the grasshopper origin story.
—Mark Barna, Discover Magazine, 23 Aug. 2018
Our findings have overturned much of the received wisdom about the ways human energy requirements change over the course of a lifetime.
—Herman Pontzer, Scientific American, 12 Dec. 2022
The received wisdom around Cubism treats these words and letters, especially the J-O-U of the Cubists’ favorite scandal sheet Le Journal, as signs set free of their original meanings.
—Jason Farago, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2022
For years, the DNA held no matches, but about two years ago, the victims one by one received phone calls that there was finally a face and name to match to the elusive attacker who had altered the trajectory of all their lives.
—Taylor Hartz, Hartford Courant, 24 Oct. 2022
With voters unlikely to accept another nine-week leadership contest during a time of economic crisis, the received wisdom is that any transfer of power would have to be a coronation rather than a competition.
—Rosa Prince, CNN, 19 Oct. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'received.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Time Traveler
The first known use of received was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing received
Dictionary Entries Near received
Cite this Entry
“Received.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/received. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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More from Merriam-Webster on received
Nglish: Translation of received for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of received for Arabic Speakers
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