OSTENSIVELY Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

ostensively

adverb

as in seemingly

to all outward appearances he stops by his old office periodically, ostensively just to say "hi"

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostensively

Adverb

These seemingly small actions can lead to dry grass ignition, potentially sparking a wildfire.

— CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
As seemingly scattershot as the box-office yields for these films can be, don’t expect live-action remakes of classic animation to turn into a pumpkin anytime soon.

— Chris Lee, Vulture, 14 July 2026

Definition of seemingly

Adverb

Still, Bethany says that at times the system has gone awry, particularly because in addition to allowance, her two oldest children also have access to her credit card, ostensibly for emergencies.

— Erika Janes, Curbed, 17 July 2026
That included a Valentine’s Day trip to a hotel, a ride to Stockton — ostensibly to inspect a horse — or riding deep into the Oakland Hills together.

— Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 14 July 2026

Definition of ostensibly

Adverb

The United Auto Workers recently criticized General Motors for installing about 50 new robot arms at the automaker’s flagship electric vehicle factory in Detroit after laying off more than 1,300 workers as a supposedly temporary measure.

— Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 16 July 2026
The one god who periodically turns up, Zendaya’s Athena – supposedly Ulysses’ divine protector against the wrath of Zeus and Poseidon and all the rest – has surprisingly little to do in this version.

— Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 16 July 2026

Definition of supposedly

Adverb

But the organization evidently believes the veteran left-hander still provides valuable pitching depth as injuries continue to mount throughout the season.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Prime parking spots in New York City are evidently worth fighting a stranger on a sidewalk for.

— Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2026

Definition of evidently

Adverb

But taxpayers did foot the bill for those stadiums at one point, presumably with the expectation that they could be used for a wide variety of events – including potential World Cup games.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Finally, he is taken away by two men in white suits, presumably to a psychiatric ward.

— Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 18 July 2026

Definition of presumably

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ostensive

ostensively

ostentation

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“Ostensively.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostensively. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of ostensively

adverb

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