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
During the McCarthy era, overreaching laws, surveillance, and public and private sector reprisals ostensibly targeted alleged communists.
—
Bruce Schneier, The Conversation, 27 May 2026
This is partially due to the steep financial commitment required to lure a top-level coach into a years-long rebuild, which ostensibly would include a lot of losing.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
The encounter is ostensibly intended to demonstrate the kind of ruthless decisiveness that Eisenhower would have needed in wartime.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 May 2026
Its construction sparked international attention because of its immense scale, rapid construction, and cost, which was ostensibly paid for by Côte d’Ivoire’s president, Félix Houphouët-Boigny.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ostensibly
Bruce Schneier, The Conversation, 27 May 2026
This is partially due to the steep financial commitment required to lure a top-level coach into a years-long rebuild, which ostensibly would include a lot of losing.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
The encounter is ostensibly intended to demonstrate the kind of ruthless decisiveness that Eisenhower would have needed in wartime.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 May 2026
Its construction sparked international attention because of its immense scale, rapid construction, and cost, which was ostensibly paid for by Côte d’Ivoire’s president, Félix Houphouët-Boigny.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ostensibly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostensibly
Adverb
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Connecticut’s Brittney Griner (rib injury) returned from a four-game absence but left the game for good late in the first half after she was apparently poked in the eye.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
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The officer then punches her multiple times, apparently in the face and upper body.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
Adverb
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Treatments by Biologique Recherche, Dr Burgener, Subtle Energies, and the seemingly definitive Swiss Perfection are all on the menu.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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Feminism, the fogged lens through which critics have often viewed her work, is seemingly no more urgent to her than food or fashion—or Star Trek, for that matter, which has inspired several drawings and paintings.—
Jeremy Lybarger,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
Adverb
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They were encouraged to purchase pricey gemstones from him that were supposedly imbued with healing powers.—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
1 June 2026
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The two countries are longstanding security allies, but Trump has criticized Colombia under Petro for supposedly failing to stem the supply of cocaine and has even mused about a possible military intervention similar to that in Venezuela.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
1 June 2026
Adverb
-
Hoping to share her knowledge more widely (and, presumably, to find a more efficient way of earning income), Goodman turned to writing.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
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Kylian Mbappé is working as a cashier at the corner store with what seems to be four Employee of the Month awards behind him on the wall, presumably inspired by his four French Player of the Year awards.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
1 June 2026
Adverb
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In surveillance video obtained by CNN Brasil, Fernandes can be seen being taken out of a car in front of the clinic, evidently unconscious and in a wheelchair.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
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The show's plot revolves around tropes that are intentionally comforting and formulaic—fake dating, jock meets girl next door, and opposites attract—and evidently, the styling follows suit.—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
27 May 2026
Adverb
-
Sánchez owns the longest scoreless streak in Phillies history — since at least 1893, when the current mound distance was set — and probably even before that.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
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This is another issue where rapid technology innovation has probably hurt math instruction.—
Mercury News Editorial Board,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ostensibly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostensibly. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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