as in apparently
to all outward appearances
ostensibly a university student studying abroad, he was actually an espionage agent
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ostensibly
But why has this humble $2.99 bag, ostensibly intended to carry produce, turned into such a status symbol?
—
Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 15 Apr. 2025
Netanyahu was summoned to Washington ostensibly to make Israel's case against the levy.
—Time, 9 Apr. 2025
Not that the ostensibly placid 1950s that preceded the anarchic ’60s were nirvana in New York’s Theater District.
—Frank Rich, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
The doctor who treated June pulls her aside, ostensibly to check her sutures but really to whisper her that Serena is a war criminal traveling under false papers, and an official is on the way to come get her.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ostensibly
Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 15 Apr. 2025
Netanyahu was summoned to Washington ostensibly to make Israel's case against the levy.
—Time, 9 Apr. 2025
Not that the ostensibly placid 1950s that preceded the anarchic ’60s were nirvana in New York’s Theater District.
—Frank Rich, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
The doctor who treated June pulls her aside, ostensibly to check her sutures but really to whisper her that Serena is a war criminal traveling under false papers, and an official is on the way to come get her.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ostensibly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostensibly
Adverb
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Much to his dismay, though, the Elimination Challenge is to create a tasting menu based on pickles — a food Tristen apparently loathes.—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
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My specialty, emergency medicine, had apparently not been in high demand here since the start of the ceasefire.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2025
Adverb
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The couple, however, continued to date on-and-off, seemingly resulting in the rekindling of their love.—
Jessica Bennett,
VIBE.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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On a song released last month, DDG seemingly vented about not being able to visit Halo.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
10 Apr. 2025
Adverb
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The result is just tit-for-tat subversion and another blow to America’s supposedly nonpartisan system of justice.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
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Except that those same dollars are spent on labor and inputs necessary to produce whatever American good will supposedly be rendered more competitive by devaluation.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
Adverb
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Lawyers for the Venezuelans said many have been loaded on to buses, presumably headed for the airport, without having had a realistic opportunity to contest their removal under the Alien Enemies Act.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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The most immediate context for this comment is presumably both the backlash to Hogwarts Legacy and the ongoing backlash over Rowling’s views writ large regarding trans women being dangerous predators.—
Aja Romano,
Vox,
18 Apr. 2025
Adverb
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Illinois residents evidently are juicy targets, reporting more fraud per capita than residents of 40 other states, according to the FTC.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
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The tight, shiny skin weeps an oily iridescence that tints the light around the woman as she twirls, evidently delighted by her affliction.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Adverb
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How our band made the decision to perform—and why we probably won’t be welcomed back By Ryan Miller Listen1.0x 0:0011:19 Produced by ElevenLabs and News Over Audio (Noa) using AI narration.—
Ryan Miller,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2025
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Jim Jarmusch, Spike Lee and Arnaud Desplechin probably are the biggest shockers.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ostensibly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostensibly. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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