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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 The guests themselves were given very little information in the lead-up to the wedding, ostensibly to prevent leaks. — Tyler Foggatt, New Yorker, 4 July 2026 This spiritual, metaphysical, and downright weird show is ostensibly about a nun’s quest to find and destroy the Holy Grail, which will result in the deactivation of the powerful, pervasive AI that gives the series its name. — Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026 Each game this year features two three-minute stoppages that are ostensibly designed to give players some relief from the summer heat, but broadcasters have capitalized on that time in a sport where the action is otherwise continuous. — Brett Knight, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 The end goal, for the tech firms and factory owners at least, is a one-size-fits-all robot, which can ostensibly plug-in to any assembly line and make workers like Lalita obsolete. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ostensibly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostensibly

Adverb

Bellingham was apparently wearing blood flow restriction shorts.

— Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 12 July 2026
Plans for a data center in Henderson County are apparently on hold for now after the developer did not provide justification for a request to pull a maximum of nearly 2 billion gallons of water a year from Cedar Creek Lake.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2026

Definition of apparently

Adverb

From ayahuasca circles and mail-order ketamine lozenges to off-label peptide injections, IV drips and longevity treatments, there’s a seemingly infinite number of ways to look and feel better that people will swear by in this town.

— Shelby Hartman, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
This summer, take styling cues from seemingly every A-lister (and the cast of The White Lotus) with a pair of large, buggy shades.

— Kelsey Stewart, Glamour, 7 July 2026

Definition of seemingly

Adverb

But its appropriation process has come under more intense scrutiny in recent weeks after a supposedly fake investment promotion agency was found to have received allocations from the budget.

— Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 10 July 2026
Also supposedly kicking the tires on Letterboxd is Reddit co-creator Alexis Ohanian, who is founder and general partner of VC firm Seven Seven Six.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 10 July 2026

Definition of supposedly

Adverb

The supermodel was seen leaving a SoHo building Friday afternoon, presumably on her way to Swift's Madison Square Garden to Travis Kelce.

— Jennifer McClellan, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Kuo also confirms that the 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max (plus, presumably, the foldable iPhone) will have enough RAM for these top-flight extras.

— David Phelan, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of presumably

Adverb

Ironically, the comments that evidently angered Adebayo stem from screenshots of an Instagram direct message conversation shared on X in recent days that show a profile seemingly run by Herro showing some resentment toward Adebayo.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 July 2026
The Cubs evidently see enough upside in the former Rays left-hander to give him another opportunity, hoping his ability to provide length can eventually translate into value at the big league level.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of evidently

Adverb

Managers expecting Spain to reach the final should strongly consider owning him and Yamal, but this is probably a strategy more suited to those chasing — Spain will be underdogs against France.

— Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 14 July 2026
Well, the answer is probably Andrew Watt, a 35-year-old who has built a reputation for hunkering down in the studio with rock legends or pop stars to craft sleek, sturdy albums.

— Ethan Beck, Washington Post, 13 July 2026

Definition of probably

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ostensible

ostensibly

ostensive

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“Ostensibly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostensibly. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of ostensibly

adverb

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