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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But the security pitfalls are equally apparent.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
31 Jan. 2026
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One month later, Epstein died in an apparent suicide while awaiting trial at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
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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With just one point out of a possible 10 during this home stand, this team now feels more akin to the one that spun nearly out of control in November and December.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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Japan’s Finance Minister said the government will coordinate with the US on currency responses when necessary, as market participants grow increasingly wary of possible coordinated action between Washington and Tokyo.—
Erica Yokoyama,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Tanaka shares the same sentiment, noting the disconnect between city denizens and Redzepi’s ostensible ideology.—
Brock Keeling,
Daily News,
16 Jan. 2026
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In Mandi, Jaswal found that the most inflammatory political content was often shared in groups that had no ostensible political purpose.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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What much of America doesn’t understand is that with trauma, layers and layers of trauma, can also eventually emerge self-awareness, insight, a free and open reliance on community, and, finally, perhaps a new, however strange-seeming, kind of reverence.—
Ed Bok Lee,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
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Like the city’s many seeming contradictions, they are meant to coexist.—
Beandrea July,
IndieWire,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The Heat are muddling along with a roster that isn’t good enough to do anything of significance, have no young player with obvious star upside, can’t create significant cap room for at least two more years and owe a future pick to the Hornets from the disastrous Terry Rozier trade.—
Nick Friedell,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
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There is no obvious sign any of the officers were injured.—
Jude Joffe-Block,
NPR,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The brain takes the probable and turns into possible (binary).—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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Usual starting center Neemias Queta was active after being listed as probable with an illness, but head coach Joe Mazzulla rolled with the rookie, whose clutch plays in overtime Friday night helped Boston put away the Nets.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ostensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostensive. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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