OSTENSIBLY Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

ostensibly

adverb

ä-ˈsten(t)-sə-blē

Definition of ostensibly

as in apparently

to all outward appearances ostensibly a university student studying abroad, he was actually an espionage agent

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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 ostensibly Investors will ostensibly do what is best for themselves and their backers. — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 5 Aug. 2026 Its decor is simple—ostensibly to not take attention away from the setting—with bubble-like overhead lighting, deep turquoise walls, earth-tone armchairs, a fieldstone fireplace, and simple wooden dining sets. — Madeline Bilis, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2026 The Oldest Person in the World takes an ostensibly simple premise and explores its deeper resonance. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2026 His best friend, Jacob Batalan’s Ned, and his girlfriend, Zendaya’s MJ, have been right by his side through most of the movie; at the end, a mystical spell erases their memory of him, ostensibly forever. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ostensibly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostensibly

Adverb

Spencer Brown said someone on the movie set apparently did that to get a smile or laugh from the actor.

— Joe Marusak August 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 Aug. 2026
Three men in their 70s were slightly injured — two of them were caught in the wind and a third one fell from a stool, apparently blown off by the wind while preparing for the storm, the Okinawa prefecture said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of apparently

Adverb

Towns and cities are enacting bans on construction seemingly by the day, including in nearby areas in Washington, out of fears of higher electricity bills, pollution and AI taking their jobs.

— Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
Communities are starting to push back against the seemingly ubiquitous camera systems.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of seemingly

Adverb

What Andert argues in his video is that LINXS has effectively ransomed LAX to the tune of $880 million — so far — to complete the supposedly less than 3 percent that remains to be built on the project.

— Oren Peleg, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2026
On October 3, 1995, after an eight-month trial that featured allegations of police planting evidence and gloves that Simpson supposedly wore the night of the murders not fitting him, Simpson was acquitted.

— Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of supposedly

Adverb

Helaena chose to stop working on her tapestry and leave it behind where Rhaenyra will presumably find it.

— Jennifer Maas, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026
Only for the Journal’s editorialists to gently pat presumably a few less than sanguine readers on the head with an allegedly encouraging caveat about legislation that empowers presidents to impose tariffs of the 100% kind on other nations.

— John Tamny, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of presumably

Adverb

Of these, most of the mistakes were in incurring the liability in the first place, with probably at least a third of them being from personal guarantees being called.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Even had Guardiola stayed on, City would probably be playing a more direct brand of football next season, with players more suited to beating a man and covering ground than playing a thousand million passes.

— Sam Lee, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of probably

Browse Nearby Words

ostensible

ostensibly

ostensive

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“Ostensibly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostensibly. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of ostensibly

adverb

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