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
-
The apparent bear attack took place nearly three decades after the last deadly bear attack in Glacier National Park occurred in 1998 in the Two Medicine Valley.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
-
But their apparent domestic paradise was thrown into disarray when Betty began to suspect her husband was having an affair with his younger office assistant, Linda Kolkena.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
The presumed reasoning behind why the film was ignored is multilayered.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Closing arguments are on Thursday, and a decision from an advisory jury and the judge overseeing the case, Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, are possible next week.—
John Ruwitch,
NPR,
12 May 2026
-
Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
One is this mismatch between the kind of power and ostensible political authority that Starmer has and the size of his vote.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
-
The ostensible point of looks-maxxing is to bag hot chicks, but quite clearly the real fun comes from inspiring awe in men.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This seeming craze for doing plays that others have already done in other ways can provide familiarity and a shared vocabulary, a framework for fuller appreciation of the work at hand.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Despite some obvious physical scarring and a seeming predilection for contorting her body in creepy ways, Katie seems pretty healthy, or so the Egyptian doctors tell her parents.—
Gregory Nussen,
Deadline,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
There are obvious questions there.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
-
This abuse of power was obvious and alarming.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
In total, eight cases are confirmed, two are probable and one is inconclusive.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
13 May 2026
-
On Monday night before the matchup against Atlanta, Fudd appeared on the Wings’ injury report listed as probable with a right knee injury, but she was downgraded to out an hour before Tuesday’s game.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ostensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostensive. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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