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
But the playoff is the best against the best, ostensibly, providing a clearer comparison.
—
Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
The offerings are ostensibly a tribute to the Côte d’Argent region of southwestern France, but Heretik’s menu reads much more like a reflection of Adley’s distinct culinary vision and approach.
—Colin Wrenn, Denver Post, 3 June 2026
In the first round of the NBA Playoffs this year, Bridges struggled to the point that head coach Mike Brown ostensibly benched him.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
With Arsenal sailing close to the regulatory wind last summer, the club brokered a deal with Leverkusen which was ostensibly a loan with option to buy.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ostensibly
Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
The offerings are ostensibly a tribute to the Côte d’Argent region of southwestern France, but Heretik’s menu reads much more like a reflection of Adley’s distinct culinary vision and approach.
—Colin Wrenn, Denver Post, 3 June 2026
In the first round of the NBA Playoffs this year, Bridges struggled to the point that head coach Mike Brown ostensibly benched him.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
With Arsenal sailing close to the regulatory wind last summer, the club brokered a deal with Leverkusen which was ostensibly a loan with option to buy.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ostensibly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostensibly
Adverb
-
My nervous system, apparently, was not exactly thriving.—
Rachel Ingram,
Robb Report,
7 June 2026
-
And apparently, Oliver was blown away.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
7 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
-
The mostly white jurors, many of whom had been victims of crimes themselves, evidently identified with Goetz; when the trial ended, some even asked to have Goetz sign their jury cards.—
Kevin Lozano,
Harpers Magazine,
2 June 2026
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The three decades since Kotter ended have not, evidently, been kind to the show, as the audience during dress rehearsal completely failed to recognize Ferrell's resemblance to Kaplan, and thus, the thrust of the joke.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 June 2026
Adverb
-
That’s probably why the influencer chose to tow the cephalopod in a tank riding on a skateboard, complete with what appears to be a wireless aerator to supply the critter with oxygen.—
Joe Wilkins,
Futurism,
4 June 2026
-
Researchers and organizations working on the front lines with the city’s homeless population would probably disagree.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ostensibly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostensibly. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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