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 The re-see is ostensibly more about the clothes than the content, where this season customers could marvel over details like Prada’s velcro closures and Chanel’s fabric innovation. — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2026 Even much of that seeming nonsense, though, is ostensibly correct. — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2026 Pike is conscious and speaking one week after surviving two ostensibly lethal doses of pentobarbital, her attorneys said. — Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026 As unpleasant as his job might be at the moment, Harbaugh is ostensibly safe. — Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 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
  • Corduroy, apparently, could outfit the full range of academic achievement.
    — John Vorwald, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Dominguez pressed Rahmer about Balthazar’s reported work as a foreign agent, apparently on behalf of the Haitian government.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of apparently
Adverb
  • The on-board algorithms that decide how and when to deploy the car's electrical hybrid power were seemingly thwarted by the drivers using less acceleration than usual to deal with the slippery conditions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026
  • In Massachusetts and Maine, that approval is also contingent on the federal government finding a long-term solution to the seemingly intractable problem of storing radioactive nuclear waste.
    — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of seemingly
Adverb
  • Even a pair of loofahs, presumably used, were supposedly left hanging in the bathroom.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Because the movie shies away from condemnation, it has been labeled by some as a MAGA film for supposedly demonizing progressive Norway and making the conservative Gheorghius the victims.
    — Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of supposedly
Adverb
  • OpenAI shared a portion of its internal memo to employees, sent by its research leaders, with Fortune—presumably penned by Mark Chen, chief research officer, though the company did not specify.
    — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The wall is flanked by works by Lynda Benglis, Eva Hesse and Tom Wesselmann, presumably produced in their Bowery lofts.
    — J. Hoberman, ARTnews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of presumably
Adverb
  • Of course, there are also age-old hustles so evidently dishonest that there was a time when their exponents risked being hung or shot.
    — Kit Chellel, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
  • He was called up by Zidane to this squad but remains uncapped at senior level and is evidently behind Jacquet in the coach’s thoughts, having been regarded as the outstanding young defender on the market two years ago.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of evidently
Adverb
  • The conflict has killed at least 150,000 people, according to conflict monitor ACLED, though aid groups say the real number is probably higher.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The distance from May to October meant that people probably felt a little freer to applaud Busch’s life, without concentrating too much on the details of his tragic and unexpected death.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 10 Oct. 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 11 Oct. 2026.

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