ostensibly

adverb

ä-ˈsten(t)-sə-blē How to pronounce ostensibly (audio)
Definition of ostensiblynext
as in apparently
to all outward appearances ostensibly a university student studying abroad, he was actually an espionage agent

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Jonah’s plan to oust Varnell involves installing an ambitious new executive producer (Wendy Raquel Robinson’s Rachel) ostensibly to help boost ratings, but in actuality to annoy Varnell into quitting over creative differences. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026 Much of its aid has come in unsigned rulings on the emergency docket—ostensibly temporary and non-precedent-setting judgments that nevertheless carry serious consequences. — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 The arrests, ostensibly for bribery, have sent a stark warning to Gazprom and the entire oil and gas industry, which faces a growing crisis of production and distribution as a result of war disruptions. — Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026 Switzerland’s top maisons ostensibly shut down for the annual summer holidays, resulting in very few new releases in the eighth month of the year. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ostensibly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostensibly
  1. apparently
  2. seemingly
  3. supposedly
  4. presumably
  5. evidently
  6. probably
Adverb
  • The brothers were apparently never scheduled to appear at the conference, though journalists and fans in the room seemed to not be aware of this.
    — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Although law firms are beginning to embrace the benefits of generative AI, the technology apparently makes many law schools squeamish.
    — Sian Leah Beilock, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of apparently
Adverb
  • The premise for prevention is to create an accountability role for everyone to play, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Many of the seemingly absurd projects celebrated by the Ig Nobels have gone on to inspire practical advances in scientific knowledge.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of seemingly
Adverb
  • Most players largely celebrate their own successes, rather than their opponents’ errors, and antics like those supposedly violate the sport’s unwritten behavioral codes.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • According to legend, a traveling salesman saw the escape artist in the booth and locked him inside, supposedly causing Houdini to furiously attempt to kick his way out.
    — Dan Kelly, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of supposedly
Adverb
  • Under such a contract, customers (like the Navy) will request Seasat to supply the boats, launch them, maintain them, operate the autonomous system, and presumably provide the sensor/data service.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
  • That his family doesn’t aggressively question him and the director doesn’t aggressively question him presumably is what allowed Tez to do this wild thing in the first place, and helps the documentary simulate objectivity.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of presumably
Adverb
  • Her fortune evidently changed in 1987, when curator John Hanhardt included her in the Whitney Biennial.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Yet the candidate and his advisers evidently believe that the way to widen that gap is to proceed cautiously.
    — Amos Harel, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of evidently
Adverb
  • Eddie Hall, probably the UK’s most famous strongman, won the World’s Strongest Man title in 2017 and was the first to deadlift 500kg.
    — Rob Tanner, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • For example, everyone on the boat and probably innocent citizens in Dubrovnik can tell that Kat and Cooper are still an item.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of probably

Browse Nearby Words

ostensible
ostensibly
ostensive
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Cite this Entry

“Ostensibly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostensibly. Accessed 8 Sep. 2026.

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