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 As Alfred Hitchcock’s tale of murder and depravity builds to its climax, the film’s ostensible hero, tennis professional Guy Haines (Farley Granger), needs to get out ahead of the psychopath (Robert Walker) who means to frame him for a murder. Joe Reid, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025 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 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
  • In an apparent thawing of political tensions, however, Chinese tech giant Alibaba on Thursday announced a multi-year partnership with the NBA to provide artificial intelligence and cloud services in China.
    Sam Meredith, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
  • The brightness Pettit observed is one of the worries, as these Starlink trains — usually most apparent shortly after launch aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket — can interfere with astronomical observations.
    Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The presumed reasoning behind why the film was ignored is multilayered.
    Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Darya Minovi, a senior analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists, pointed to that pending change as a possible motivation for not publishing the PFNA assessment.
    Sharon Lerner, ProPublica, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Now, enduring peace in the region is possible.
    Yamiche Alcindor, NBC news, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The triggers for a crash likewise do not generally follow any obvious logic.
    Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Roem and other critics of data center growth see a few obvious goals in Virginia if Spanberger wins — though the would-be governor has not climbed on board with all of them.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • We’re simply left alone with an addict and his feelings—or, occasionally, his seeming lack of them.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
  • A lot of it was the distance that I was afforded, the seeming distance that I was afforded.
    Ed Meza, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer is listed as probable for the Sooners’ rivalry game against Texas, according to the SEC availability report released Thursday evening.
    Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Defensive end Paul Oyewale was also on the report, but he was listed as probable to play.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The supposed hardship Combs is under was brought into the spotlight and the courtroom on October 3 in defense lawyer Brian Steel’s presentation to Judge Subramanian.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2025
  • In our initial report, which has since been removed for factual inaccuracies, VIBE announced Dash’s supposed interim role as Chairman of REVOLT, a position the 54-year-old also revealed on The Breakfast Club.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 18 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Ostensible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostensible. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ostensible

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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