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
• 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

Putin claimed that such NGOs had taken in more than $1 billion from foreign sources, offering the figure as ostensible proof of Western meddling. —Tetiana Kotelnykova, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2025

Whatever Zemeckis and Spielberg's reasons for parting ways with their ostensible first choice, Eric Stoltz, were theirs. —Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Oct. 2025

Through his phone, Ron holds a portal into the unknown; a void filled with sporadic echoes and ostensible connections. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2025

President Clinton, who backed free trade despite the Democratic Party’s ostensible ties to organized labor, was still in office when the Seattle protests broke out. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025

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