seemingly

adverb

seem·​ing·​ly ˈsē-miŋ-lē 

: outwardly or apparently

—used to indicate how something appears or seems

a seemingly simple problem [=a problem that seems simple]

a seemingly endless project [=a project that seems to have no end]

The balance of nature—an ideal state in which every species is in its right place—is seemingly being upended.

—Bryan Walsh

These were years in which seemingly every city authority from Adelaide to Oslo had set its heart on the construction of an unsurpassably iconic building …

—Ellis Woodman

Then, in 1929, taste arbiter Emily Post sanctioned a seemingly irreversible shift in manners: "No rule of etiquette is of less importance than which fork we use."

—Douglas Brenner

Dumbledore had most of the remaining Death Eaters grouped in the middle of the room, seemingly immobilized by invisible ropes.

—J. K. Rowling

Synonyms

• apparently
• evidently
• ostensibly
• ostensively
• presumably
• putatively
• supposedly

Examples of seemingly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In October 2020, seemingly affectionate photos of West and James were released online, prompting speculation of an affair between the actors. —USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2024

Unlike today, when seemingly every square inch of the Central Business District is covered by cameras producing high-quality, high-definition video even in low light, there was no footage available from local businesses back then. —Detroit Free Press, 22 Apr. 2024

Springer slumped over his waist in disbelief after watching the right fielder seemingly run from Petco to University Heights to bubble wrap a one-run lead. —Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2024

In an infamous hot mic moment, Durst seemingly confessed to his involvement in the murders he was connected to. —Haley Van Horn, Peoplemag, 21 Apr. 2024

The actress nails the seemingly contradictory teenage mix of unwarranted confidence and super-awkward romantic game. —Dalton Ross, EW.com, 21 Apr. 2024

Yet less than six months prior to the USDA’s complaint, the agency reported an initial inspection of a seemingly new facility called Rivers Edge LLC at the same address as Triple D. —Rene Ebersole, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2024

At one point, Swift also seemingly has matching face tattoos as Post Malone. —Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Apr. 2024

Many simply respect him; many others seemingly worship him. —Michael Kugelman, TIME, 19 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined above