as in apparent
appearing to be true on the basis of evidence that may or may not be confirmed
the ostensive purpose of his visit was to discuss the terms of his will
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Recent Examples of ostensive
Just like Glaucon, the best this new interlocutor could do is an ostensive definition - provide examples of justice - or possibly present the etymology of the word.
—
Theodore McDarrah, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2023
The ostensive unpopularity of violet versus purple nagged at the back of Tager’s mind for much of his life, eventually setting him on a 20-year journey across 193 museums in 42 countries.
—Stephen MacKnik, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2021
The United Arab Emirates has taken advantage of the fight and now dominates the south, squeezing out its ostensive ally, Hadi.
—Washington Post, 12 May 2018
Theodore McDarrah, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2023
The ostensive unpopularity of violet versus purple nagged at the back of Tager’s mind for much of his life, eventually setting him on a 20-year journey across 193 museums in 42 countries.
—Stephen MacKnik, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2021
The United Arab Emirates has taken advantage of the fight and now dominates the south, squeezing out its ostensive ally, Hadi.
—Washington Post, 12 May 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostensive
Adjective
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The apparent hoaxes come amid heightened concern over campus safety following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
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Paramount’s apparent interest is no surprise since the company’s ambitious new CEO, David Ellison, has talked about a desire to strike further deals.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The presumed reasoning behind why the film was ignored is multilayered.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The shift has profound implications in House districts across the country, seeping into Democratic primaries as a possible liability for more centrist members.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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New downloads of Weather are no longer possible on Wear OS 6 devices from third-party manufacturers, such as Samsung, OnePlus and others.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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As Alfred Hitchcock’s tale of murder and depravity builds to its climax, the film’s ostensible hero, tennis professional Guy Haines (Farley Granger), needs to get out ahead of the psychopath (Robert Walker) who means to frame him for a murder.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
29 Aug. 2025
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As three Navy destroyers and three amphibious warships move toward the coast of Venezuela this weekend in an ostensible U.S. counternarcotics operation, the Trump administration’s show of force is rekindling memories of another presidency, era and country.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The insurer’s spokesperson declined an opportunity to clarify this seeming contradiction.—
Mario Ariza,
ProPublica,
15 Sep. 2025
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These innocuous-seeming actions can kindle dry vegetation, potentially spawning a wildfire.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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And a soft implant can be the best option to avoid an obvious edge.—
Megan McIntyre,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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That’s because your liver won’t give you obvious clues that say there’s a MASH up going there.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Simmons is listed as probable on the Ole Miss injury report.—
Tom Murphy,
Arkansas Online,
12 Sep. 2025
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Worthy’s probable absence should stand to elevate the role of receiver Tyquan Thornton, who joined Kansas City’s practice squad in mid-November.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ostensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostensive. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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