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
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Recent Examples of ostensibly
Barricading everyone inside the hotel ostensibly ensures Celia’s abductors can’t leave the property.
—
Alison Herman, Variety, 19 June 2026
Though this is an ostensibly local election, his national message has been clear.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 18 June 2026
Canada’s national team have gathered for a training camp, ostensibly ahead of upcoming games on the calendar.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 17 June 2026
These vessels were part of military exercises known as Arctic Endurance, and their purpose was ostensibly to counter threats from outside the NATO alliance, of which both Denmark and the United States are members.
—Joshua Hunt, Vanity Fair, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ostensibly
Alison Herman, Variety, 19 June 2026
Though this is an ostensibly local election, his national message has been clear.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 18 June 2026
Canada’s national team have gathered for a training camp, ostensibly ahead of upcoming games on the calendar.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 17 June 2026
These vessels were part of military exercises known as Arctic Endurance, and their purpose was ostensibly to counter threats from outside the NATO alliance, of which both Denmark and the United States are members.
—Joshua Hunt, Vanity Fair, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ostensibly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostensibly
Adverb
-
The district continues to face ongoing challenges from declining enrollment and chronic absenteeism — both apparently exacerbated by federal deportation threats, according to some experts.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
22 June 2026
-
When security turns them away at the gate, some fans are stashing their bags nearby — apparently planning to grab them later — and that’s creating a real headache for law enforcement, according to The Star.—
The Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
21 June 2026
Adverb
-
The last two sales seasons at the auction houses have seemingly driven home this desire for trophy works—A-plus material.—
Harrison Jacobs,
ARTnews.com,
15 June 2026
-
The Rabbit Hole is more playful, with its games room, pool table, ping pong and private bar, seemingly designed for long nights and bad decisions.—
Arion McNicoll,
TheWeek,
15 June 2026
Adverb
-
The Mexican beer cocktail, michelada, is a savory drink supposedly born from Club Deportivo Potosino in San Luis Potosí in the 1970s.—
Nina Moskowitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
15 June 2026
-
On Sunday, Americans had the opportunity to watch an Ultimate Fighting Championship cage fight held on the White House lawn, supposedly as part of the celebration of our nation’s 250 anniversary.—
Tom Zirpoli,
Baltimore Sun,
15 June 2026
Adverb
-
Some families even bring their housekeepers, presumably to clean up all of the empty soy sauce packets.—
Brendan Cosgrove,
Fortune,
15 June 2026
-
With Washington off to Auburn, Knighton will presumably enter the fall as the lead back.—
Steven Johnson
June 15,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 June 2026
Adverb
-
But those struggles evidently haven’t been enough to push Scherzer into retirement and the team seems to be sticking with him as well.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
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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
Adverb
-
And that probably includes the windows, too.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 June 2026
-
If Claire wasn’t running in this, probably, like, sure, fine.—
Naaman Zhou,
New Yorker,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ostensibly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostensibly. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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