1
: a party to legal proceedings whose true name is unknown
2
: an average man
Synonyms
Examples of John Doe in a Sentence
to John Doe the most important issues in any election are usually those that affect his wallet
Recent Examples on the Web
Opting instead for the common pseudonyms Jane or John Doe, anonymous accusers can further intensify that dynamic and are at the center of some of the largest legal stories of the past year.
—
Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 15 Jan. 2025
All 10 defendants were named John Doe because Microsoft doesn’t know their identity.
—Ars Technica, 10 Jan. 2025
The man says he was employed by Combs for 14 years, and contends the two were meeting to discuss payments the John Doe said he was owed.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 12 Dec. 2024
The clockwork scheme that John Doe sets in motion pays off in one of the greatest climaxes of any movie, ever.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for John Doe 
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Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 15 Jan. 2025
All 10 defendants were named John Doe because Microsoft doesn’t know their identity.
—Ars Technica, 10 Jan. 2025
The man says he was employed by Combs for 14 years, and contends the two were meeting to discuss payments the John Doe said he was owed.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 12 Dec. 2024
The clockwork scheme that John Doe sets in motion pays off in one of the greatest climaxes of any movie, ever.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for John Doe
Dictionary Entries Near John Doe
Cite this Entry
“John Doe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/John%20Doe. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
John Doe
noun
: a person in legal proceedings whose true name is unknown or withheld
Legal Definition
John Doe
noun
: a party to legal proceedings (as a suspect) whose true name is unknown or withheld compare jane roe, richard roe
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