as in apparent
appearing to be true on the basis of evidence that may or may not be confirmed
the ostensible reason for the meeting turned out to be a trick to get him to the surprise party
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Recent Examples of ostensible
Despite this ostensible colonization of trans bodies, Céspedes trains his camera on the inherent humanity of all his subjects, including his most bigoted aggressors.
—
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 15 May 2025
Then his ostensible bestie, Stuart (Josh McDermitt), ruins everything by breaking up the firm.
—Margaret Lyons, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025
But due to Coogler’s framing, seeing Mary, a white-passing woman but ostensible outsider, turned into a vampire is tragic.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2025
The ostensible reason: Benedict didn’t want his physical deterioration to paralyze the church the way John Paul II’s Parkinson’s disease did during the twilight of a papacy that lasted more than a quarter of a century.
—Howard Chua-Eoan, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ostensible
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 15 May 2025
Then his ostensible bestie, Stuart (Josh McDermitt), ruins everything by breaking up the firm.
—Margaret Lyons, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025
But due to Coogler’s framing, seeing Mary, a white-passing woman but ostensible outsider, turned into a vampire is tragic.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2025
The ostensible reason: Benedict didn’t want his physical deterioration to paralyze the church the way John Paul II’s Parkinson’s disease did during the twilight of a papacy that lasted more than a quarter of a century.
—Howard Chua-Eoan, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ostensible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostensible
Adjective
-
Wolff did admit that seeing the positives were difficult, aside from the apparent step in tire management.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
-
The man dropped to the ground and was arrested without any apparent resistance in the video that Osante filmed.—
Colleen Slevin,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2025
Adjective
-
Dutch’s mission is rooted in making that bond possible—for more people—by providing affordable, ongoing access to care.—
Sindhya Valloppillil,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
Record high temperatures are possible on Monday in Oregon, including the cities of Portland, Eugene and Medford.—
Kenton Gewecke,
ABC News,
9 June 2025
Adjective
-
Lionsgate post-Starz spin-off would be the most obvious choice, without the weight of cable networks on both sides and with a host of still-viable Lionsgate franchises including John Wick, The Hunger Games and Saw.—
Howard Homonoff,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
Sending in the National Guard was an obvious military flex, designed to to bait Angelenos while perhaps distracting Americans from Trump’s far greater troubles.—
Mary McNamara,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
Adjective
-
Emilia Pérez’s turnout in particular was a fall from seeming dominance, perhaps precipitated by Gascón’s controversy.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
3 Mar. 2025
-
That night of violence — with its brutality and seeming lack of a motive — has shaken the community.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Sep. 2024
Adjective
-
Wind gusts of up to 40 mph and marble-sized hail (0.5 inches) are probable.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 June 2025
-
Wind gusts of up to 40 mph and pea-sized hail (0.25 inches) are probable.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
The other supposed benefit is that MAGA accounts grow wealth for children from poor families.—
Allison Schrager,
Twin Cities,
22 May 2025
-
Over the past several years, hip-hop’s supposed decline has been a prevailing storyline.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
17 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ostensible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostensible. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
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