Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

ostensible

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of ostensible

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 of ostensible

apparent, assumed, evident, ostensive, presumed, prima facie, putative, reputed, seeming, supposed
Words Related to ostensible

demonstrable, external, outward, superficial, visible

conceivable, plausible, possible, supposable

likely, probable

clear, distinct, manifest, obvious, plain

deceptive, delusive, delusory, illusive, illusory, imaginary

misleading, specious

fake, faked, feigned, phony (also phoney), pretended, pseudo, put-on

alleged, claimed, professed, purported, so-called
Near Antonyms of ostensible

hidden, inapparent

implausible, impossible, improbable, inconceivable, unlikely

actual, authenticated, confirmed, corroborated, established, genuine, real, substantiated, sure, valid, validated, verified

Synonym Discussion of ostensible

apparent, illusory, seeming, ostensible mean not actually being what appearance indicates. 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
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
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
ostensible suggests a discrepancy between an openly declared or naturally implied aim or reason and the true one.
    • the ostensible reason for their visit

Learn More about ostensible

  1. See words that rhyme with ostensible Dictionary: Definition of ostensible Spanish Central: Translation of ostensible Nglish: Translation of ostensible for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of ostensible for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up ostensible? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

teetotaler

someone who never drinks alcohol

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. cache BuzzFeed reports on Trump-Cohen documents.

  2. intransigence, intransigent Trump cancels Davos trip.

  3. white supremacist Steve King discusses views.

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games