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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

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