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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ostensible The ostensible reason for rolling in the National Guard is high crime. Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2025 Komljen creates an ostensible utopia for those ostracised from urban spaces, with days now spent stewing apricots, weaving baskets, kissing rocks, and conversing with mushrooms. Sonya Vseliubska, Variety, 13 Aug. 2025 Unlike a mattress monster that actually feeds on people, the othered beings in Park’s second ostensible creature feature are recognizably human, even if the wider population is encouraged not to perceive them that way. Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2025 These declarations cynically cloak themselves behind ostensible concerns about the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ostensible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostensible
Adjective
  • Foreclosure would become nonviable as a means of tax collection — with no readily apparent alternative means for timely collection of the delinquent revenue.
    Todd Spangler, Freep.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Remember, magnitude is the scale used by astronomers to chart the apparent brightness of an object in the night sky.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The presumed reasoning behind why the film was ignored is multilayered.
    Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Outside the home, keep tree branches pruned, and as far away from the house as possible.
    Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Black inks for the same printers tend to have less obvious smearing than the color ink, and many smear just enough to see a smudge, without harming readability.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2025
  • But Trump’s arbitrary brand of interventionism comes with obvious dangers.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • These innocuous-seeming actions can kindle dry vegetation, potentially spawning a wildfire.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 26 Sep. 2025
  • The insurer’s spokesperson declined an opportunity to clarify this seeming contradiction.
    Mario Ariza, ProPublica, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Abramov points out that this does not disprove the Mars life explanation, but rather just presents an alternative, albeit much more probable, explanation for the evidence.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 1 Oct. 2025
  • First a look at the problems, and then the probable reasons.
    Seth Emerson, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The baby is officially named Simon Fraser of Lovat, just like his supposed father, who after the brief service rips into Brian for not being more supportive.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The reaction, though, of supposed country folk has puzzled me the most.
    John Vukmirovich, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ostensible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostensible. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.

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