as in apparent
appearing to be true on the basis of evidence that may or may not be confirmed
the ostensive purpose of his visit was to discuss the terms of his will
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Recent Examples of ostensive
The ostensive unpopularity of violet versus purple nagged at the back of Tager’s mind for much of his life, eventually setting him on a 20-year journey across 193 museums in 42 countries.
—
Stephen MacKnik, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2021
Just like Glaucon, the best this new interlocutor could do is an ostensive definition - provide examples of justice - or possibly present the etymology of the word.
—Theodore McDarrah, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2023
Researchers in this new study show that dogs made their decisions based on these ostensive cues as well.
—Sarah Zhang, Discover Magazine, 28 Apr. 2012
This obviously doesn’t mean the Nuggets reserve unit has transformed into the cream of the crop, and that minus-three remains a concern for a team with ostensive (if diminished) title hopes.
—Joel Rush, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2021
Ask this question to a random group of people, the answer will most likely be ostensive.
—Teddy McDarrah, Forbes, 28 June 2021
The United Arab Emirates has taken advantage of the fight and now dominates the south, squeezing out its ostensive ally, Hadi.
—Washington Post, 12 May 2018
Cairo streets are lined with campaign banners and posters extolling el-Sissi, who has done little in the way of traditional campaigning, and has not publicly mentioned his ostensive challenger, Moussa Mustafa Moussa.
—Fox News, 26 Mar. 2018
Stephen MacKnik, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2021
Just like Glaucon, the best this new interlocutor could do is an ostensive definition - provide examples of justice - or possibly present the etymology of the word.
—Theodore McDarrah, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2023
Researchers in this new study show that dogs made their decisions based on these ostensive cues as well.
—Sarah Zhang, Discover Magazine, 28 Apr. 2012
This obviously doesn’t mean the Nuggets reserve unit has transformed into the cream of the crop, and that minus-three remains a concern for a team with ostensive (if diminished) title hopes.
—Joel Rush, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2021
Ask this question to a random group of people, the answer will most likely be ostensive.
—Teddy McDarrah, Forbes, 28 June 2021
The United Arab Emirates has taken advantage of the fight and now dominates the south, squeezing out its ostensive ally, Hadi.
—Washington Post, 12 May 2018
Cairo streets are lined with campaign banners and posters extolling el-Sissi, who has done little in the way of traditional campaigning, and has not publicly mentioned his ostensive challenger, Moussa Mustafa Moussa.
—Fox News, 26 Mar. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostensive
Adjective
-
It’s been apparent in the last several years that the number of corporate CMOs is going down.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
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That danger was apparent when formaldehyde in plywood used to build temporary trailer homes for victims of Hurricane Katrina sickened dozens of people.—
Hiroko Tabuchi,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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He has been floated as a possible presidential candidate in 2028.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC News,
7 Mar. 2025
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As much as possible, the most elemental steps are to be surfaced, and then they can each be separately resolved.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Even the film's ostensible progressives, like Tucci's Bellini, are not immune to unethical bargaining behind the scenes.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
27 Feb. 2025
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Musk has assumed an unprecedented — and highly controversial — role in American society with his alliance with President Donald Trump and his ostensible leadership of the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency.—
Rob Wile,
NBC News,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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This year organizers are acknowledging openly what’s been obvious for a while.—
Rob Salkowitz,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
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There are more than a few scenes here where the substitution of stuntman for star is obvious.—
Joe Leydon,
Variety,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Another probable place to lay blame is the social media companies that draw kids in, memorizing their patterns through algorithms to keep them viewing and engaged.—
Katie Grant,
Parents,
4 Mar. 2025
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Friday Rockies probable pitchers: LHP Kyle Freeland, RHP Antonio Senzatela, RHP Angel Chivilli, RHP Diego Castillo, LHP Evan Justice, LHP Jack O’Loughlin.—
Patrick Saunders,
The Denver Post,
27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ostensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostensive. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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