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

Unicycles and prizes By now, a light drizzle has set in, but the two unicyclists are still making their rounds in the car park, seemingly undeterred.

— Julie Bourdin, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
Despite the collaborative nature of Act V, the power play came out when Usher sat on a throne with a diamond crown— seemingly asserting himself as R&B’s King.

— Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of seemingly

Adverb

That little girl was apparently perfectly built for fraud, somehow, and found the perfect environment in Silicon Valley, where exaggeration and outright lying were de rigueur.

— Torie Bosch, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026
Just before the second half began, a number of fans were given transgender pride flags, apparently in an effort to obstruct other spectators' view of the banner and XX-XY supporters.

— Matt Calkins , Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of apparently

Adverb

But the Green Man of legend – a glowing, threatening figure with supernatural powers who supposedly lived in a tunnel – was not.

— Jeffrey Tolbert, The Conversation, 28 Oct. 2026
He was made partner on their American dynamism team, which is a team that invests in startups that do weapons systems and drones and other things supposedly in the national interest.

— Tonya Mosley, NPR, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of supposedly

Adverb

The initial injury presumably came during the Timberwolves’ win over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, as he was seen grabbing at that right knee.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026
The California Sound are presumably the Beach Boys touring band minus Love, but that is not confirmed.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of presumably

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.

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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 2 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of ostensively

adverb

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