OSTENSIVE Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

ostensive

adjective

ä-ˈsten(t)-siv

Definition of ostensive

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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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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostensive

Adjective

After revealing its personal agent app Muse earlier this month, the Facebook parent this week unveiled its Muse Charm device in an apparent bid to get ahead of OpenAI and Google.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
The government argues that her apparent ability to finance private security, a residence and extensive monitoring suggests access to significant resources that could also facilitate flight.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of apparent

Adjective

Every metre between two chips adds a nanosecond to the processing time, so the idea is to pack as many as possible closely together.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 27 Sep. 2026
And for people who work overnight or face an occasional period of severe sleep loss, getting enough rest may not always be possible in the moment.

— Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of possible

Adjective

Last month, a federal judge ordered the Department of Defense to move forward with processing applications for wind farm licenses that had been held up over ostensible national security concerns.

— Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2026
In the film’s ostensible present, as the lengthy raid unfolds, a noble, unnamed police constable (Anurag Thakur) objects to his superiors’ methods and their persecution of Devi at large.

— Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of ostensible

Adjective

Anger at the seeming inability of successive governments to deal with the issue has been behind a series of demonstrations and riots and has fueled the rise of the hard-right Reform UK party.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
Adding to that sense of inherent agility and the seeming ability to pounce are the standard 21-inch wheels fit with iron brakes, though carbon-ceramic stoppers are also an option.

— Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of seeming

Adjective

Venus in your sign opposes the Moon in your partnership zone, increasing attraction while making differences in comfort, affection, or timing more obvious.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 29 Sep. 2026
Perhaps those ratios seem obvious; just about half the money from a little less than half the screens.

— Brian Welk, IndieWire, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of obvious

Adjective

Both encode information in high-dimensional vectors, transform those representations using matrices and tensors and convert internal states into probable outputs.

— Pravir Malik, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Across many parts of the city, 100% of properties are projected to face possible or probable subsidence risk in 2030, according to data from the British insurance company Aviva.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of probable

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“Ostensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostensive. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of ostensive

adjective

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