Synonyms of ostensible

ostensible

adjective

ä-ˈsten(t)-sə-bəl 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• apparent
• presumed
• possible
• obvious
• seeming
• probable
• supposed
• putative
• evident
• alleged
• ostensive
• reputed
• assumed
• plausible
• prima facie
• superficial
• demonstrable
• distinct
• likely
• visible
• external
• conceivable
• outward
• purported
• imaginary
• supposable
• illusory
• manifest
• illusive
• specious
• deceptive
• delusive
• misleading
• pseudo
• professed
• clear
• feigned
• claimed
• delusory
• phoney
• phony
• plain
• fake
• faked
• so-called
• put-on
• pretended

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hidden
• impossible
• actual
• improbable
• unlikely
• inconceivable
• real
• implausible
• inapparent
• genuine
• valid
• confirmed
• established
• sure
• validated
• substantiated
• corroborated
• authenticated
• verified

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ostensible contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of ostensible are apparent, illusory, and seeming. While all these words mean "not actually being what appearance indicates," ostensible suggests a discrepancy between an openly declared or naturally implied aim or reason and the true one.

the ostensible reason for their visit

When is it sensible to use apparent instead of ostensible?

The words apparent and ostensible can be used in similar contexts, but apparent suggests appearance to unaided senses that may or may not be borne out by more rigorous examination or greater knowledge.

the apparent cause of the accident

When is illusory a more appropriate choice than ostensible?

Although the words illusory and ostensible have much in common, illusory implies a false impression based on deceptive resemblance or faulty observation, or influenced by emotions that prevent a clear view.

an illusory sense of security

When would seeming be a good substitute for ostensible?

The synonyms seeming and ostensible are sometimes interchangeable, but seeming implies a character in the thing observed that gives it the appearance, sometimes through intent, of something else.

the seeming simplicity of the story

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ostensible

Even the film's ostensible progressives, like Tucci's Bellini, are not immune to unethical bargaining behind the scenes. —Randall Colburn, EW.com, 22 Apr. 2025

Some ostensible environmental regulations are also holding back new clean energy deployment, and in some cases, the red tape is being cynically weaponized against projects like offshore wind farms. —Umair Irfan, Vox, 22 Apr. 2025

Tariffs serve an ostensible strategic purpose: reducing reliance on foreign manufacturers to improve national security and rebalancing a system that, over time, has hollowed out the industrial core of the country. —Rita Numerof, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

Revelations stars Ryu Jun-yeol (A Taxi Driver) as Pastor Sung Min-chan, Shin Hyun-been (Reborn Rich) as Detective Lee Yeon-hui and Shin Min-jae (Parasyte: The Grey) as the story’s ostensible villain, Kwon Yang-rae. —Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Mar. 2025

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