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I'm surprised that Merriam-Webster puts that definition in the first position. I definitely consider so-called to have a negative connotation, as in the second

by pcl 7y ago

I'm surprised that Merriam-Webster puts that definition in the first position. I definitely consider so-called to have a negative connotation, as in the second definition.

orf 7y ago
Same, “so-called” is almost exclusively used in the negative sense. I don’t think I’ve ever heard it used in another way.
- fenomas 7y ago
  I think both senses are still common. I mainly hear the first one from news sources - "more cases of the so-called corona virus" or such.