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

This organic metaphor, like the more direct invocation of the female body as an icon, seems to represent another aspect of ostensible artistic sincerity that Koether shows herself inclined to distrust. — Barry Schwabsky, ARTnews.com, 8 Sep. 2026

As the title suggests, the measure’s ostensible purpose is simple, to require clinics to spend 90% of their revenue on program services, along with penalties and enforcement mechanisms. — The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 8 Sep. 2026

These included members of the office’s upper management and Joe Thompson, the lead on the benefits-fraud case that was the ostensible reason for the surge in the first place. — Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Those ostensible allies shrugged off criticism of their destructive interventions in Libya, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. — Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!