reportedly

Reportedly is a sentence adverb used to indicate that information originates from reports by others rather than from the speaker. It hedges a claim by attributing it to external sources, making statements appear as reported rather than asserted. The word comes from the noun report, combined with the adverbial suffix -edly, and has been used in English for centuries to convey hearsay or unverified information. In practice, it is common in journalism, diplomacy, academic writing, and everyday speech. Example: The company reportedly plans to merge with its rival, according to two people familiar with the discussions.

Usage and nuance: Reportedly signals that a claim should be treated with caution and depends on unspecified sources. It does not establish veracity, and credibility varies with the reporting. In contrast to allegedly, which often implies wrongful or disputed acts and can carry legal overtones, reportedly is generally more neutral, though both serve as hedges. In formal writing, it is usually better to cite the source explicitly rather than rely on reportedly alone, for example by using "according to a company spokesperson" or "reports indicate."