as in apparently
to all outward appearances
ostensibly a university student studying abroad, he was actually an espionage agent
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Recent Examples of ostensibly
And that's important not just because movie theaters are communal spaces where audiences are, at least ostensibly, forced to put down their phones and other distractions.
—
Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026
When a handful of renderings leaked prematurely, the initial reactions focused on ostensibly vulgar details, especially bronze accents that looked implausibly golden in the renderings and a presidential seal etched on one wall.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 8 June 2026
But as the team made its announcement, its tactics across years of negotiations — including ostensibly definitive statements about their intentions at a number of different sites in the region — drove several top Illinois leaders to open frustration.
—Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026
In Oakland, Measure E would have raised $34 million in parcel taxes, ostensibly to fund public safety efforts.
—John Ramos, CBS News, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ostensibly
Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026
When a handful of renderings leaked prematurely, the initial reactions focused on ostensibly vulgar details, especially bronze accents that looked implausibly golden in the renderings and a presidential seal etched on one wall.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 8 June 2026
But as the team made its announcement, its tactics across years of negotiations — including ostensibly definitive statements about their intentions at a number of different sites in the region — drove several top Illinois leaders to open frustration.
—Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026
In Oakland, Measure E would have raised $34 million in parcel taxes, ostensibly to fund public safety efforts.
—John Ramos, CBS News, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ostensibly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostensibly
Adverb
-
There was, apparently, a sitar soundtrack.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
15 June 2026
-
Especially from a woman who’s apparently about to launch a crackah empire!—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
15 June 2026
Adverb
-
Aiyuk started his Sunday video by seemingly comparing the Niners to kids who don’t get picked for a pickup basketball game and ruin the fun for everyone else by taking the ball and going home.—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2026
-
The titular bear, who communicates with the girl through language—seemingly telepathic—plays a crucial role in her survival.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
Adverb
-
Take a cue from the NCAA’s March Madness frenzy and prepare for, supposedly, the greatest show on Earth.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
8 June 2026
-
Wilkes was a member of the supposedly licentious Hellfire Club, one of those groups (think of Led Zeppelin in our time) known for satanic pursuits that probably were mostly drunken stunts.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
Adverb
-
The reason money is clawed back presumably is because the agency determined that they had been given too much money.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
8 June 2026
-
Watch for Apple's next watchOS, presumably 27, to double down on AI.—
Kimberly Gedeon,
PC Magazine,
8 June 2026
Adverb
-
More importantly, Suzuka marked both the end and beginning of a chapter for the young team, which evidently had a lot of work to do before heading to the United States.—
Jerry Perez,
The Drive,
11 June 2026
-
But in this literary theatre geek’s opinion—and, evidently, the voting public’s—there’s always room for more crossover acts.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
Adverb
-
That’s probably the biggest takeaway from Thursday’s interaction.—
Nick Harris
June 11,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 June 2026
-
Sudden cuts tend to backfire, leaving you with the very symptoms fatigue, headaches, irritability that probably sent you reaching for caffeine in the first place.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ostensibly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostensibly. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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