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
-
Parker was the second person to die in sheriff’s custody this year, and the first apparent suicide in more than two years.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The influence is apparent even among non-evangelicals.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The presumed reasoning behind why the film was ignored is multilayered.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
11 Mar. 2026
-
During heavy rain, flooding is possible, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The earlier film, directed by James Whale, begins with a campy scene of Mary Shelley telling her husband—Percy Bysshe Shelley—and Lord Byron of her plans for a sequel, setting up the film as the fulfillment of that ostensible wish.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Compared with the ostensible consequences of the prisoner’s dilemma, getting fleeced in the snowdrift problem’s scenario isn’t quite as disastrous.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
These innocuous-seeming actions can kindle dry vegetation, potentially spawning a wildfire.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Kate and Camilla appeared to have coordinated their Commonwealth Day outfits, as the royal women chose navy blue and red in a seeming nod to the Union Jack colors on March 9.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
There was no obvious precipitating event, but the encroachment of Grok seemed foreboding.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
-
What is obvious is the Dolphins aren’t going the Wizards route.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Sixth man Payton Pritchard was upgraded to probable after missing the Spurs game with a neck spasm.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Fontecchio is listed as probable.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ostensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostensive. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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