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
The 2023 law was designed to ostensibly encourage development of affordable housing by overriding local zoning controls, allowing developers to supersize projects with no public review.
—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
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
He was shuffled off to Philadelphia for the Second Continental Congress ostensibly to secure money for the colony’s defense but also to get him out of the way.
—
Adam Van Brimmer,
AJC.com,
30 June 2026
While the point of the World Cup is ostensibly to crown a world champion, and the only way to do that is through knockout games that eliminate the rest of the field, the group games are the true joy of the tournament.
—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ostensibly
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
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
He was shuffled off to Philadelphia for the Second Continental Congress ostensibly to secure money for the colony’s defense but also to get him out of the way.
—
Adam Van Brimmer,
AJC.com,
30 June 2026
While the point of the World Cup is ostensibly to crown a world champion, and the only way to do that is through knockout games that eliminate the rest of the field, the group games are the true joy of the tournament.
—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ostensibly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostensibly
Adverb
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Dark clouds hovered around the stadium just before kickoff, threatening to delay the start of the game, but Mother Nature apparently is a soccer fan, because the storm veered away.
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They are affixed to the inky blue background, yet its maker(s), who apparently stitched each luminary on by hand, failed to catch all the edges on many of the stars – leaving another clue.
Adverb
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In the final minute of stoppage time to end the first half, Morocco's Achraf Hakimi curved his free kick right in front of the goal, seemingly just one perfect touch away from a goal.
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For now, however, the Fed is poised to wait and see whether the seemingly fragile truce between the United States and Iran holds up, allowing inflation to ease.
Adverb
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Still, the tour doesn’t shy away from the mission’s sins over its 250 years, demystifying how supposedly carefree life was during the height of its operations before the United States conquered Mexico.
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These are challenges that supposedly don't hit a flat, non-folding display anywhere near as hard.
Adverb
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The supermodel was seen leaving a SoHo building Friday afternoon, presumably on her way to Swift's Madison Square Garden to Travis Kelce.
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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.
Adverb
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There, the hotel’s overarching theme of kisetsukan, meaning seasonal awareness, is felt most evidently at Iñaki.
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That list includes Swift's longtime pal Ed Sheeran, who is evidently in New York already.
Adverb
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The concept would probably face opposition from Altadenans who have rallied by the hundreds to oppose building permits for multiple homes on individual parcels.
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But that’s probably more a 2027 story than a 2026 one, as both governments look to see the path oil prices take, noted Kaneva.
Cite this Entry
“Ostensibly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostensibly. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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