as in apparently
to all outward appearances
ostensibly a university student studying abroad, he was actually an espionage agent
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ostensibly
But why has this humble $2.99 bag, ostensibly intended to carry produce, turned into such a status symbol?
—
Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 15 Apr. 2025
Netanyahu was summoned to Washington ostensibly to make Israel's case against the levy.
—Time, 9 Apr. 2025
Not that the ostensibly placid 1950s that preceded the anarchic ’60s were nirvana in New York’s Theater District.
—Frank Rich, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
The doctor who treated June pulls her aside, ostensibly to check her sutures but really to whisper her that Serena is a war criminal traveling under false papers, and an official is on the way to come get her.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ostensibly
Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 15 Apr. 2025
Netanyahu was summoned to Washington ostensibly to make Israel's case against the levy.
—Time, 9 Apr. 2025
Not that the ostensibly placid 1950s that preceded the anarchic ’60s were nirvana in New York’s Theater District.
—Frank Rich, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
The doctor who treated June pulls her aside, ostensibly to check her sutures but really to whisper her that Serena is a war criminal traveling under false papers, and an official is on the way to come get her.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ostensibly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostensibly
Adverb
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My specialty, emergency medicine, had apparently not been in high demand here since the start of the ceasefire.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2025
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Much to his dismay, though, the Elimination Challenge is to create a tasting menu based on pickles — a food Tristen apparently loathes.—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
Adverb
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Still, his cell isn’t crammed with the seemingly innumerable actions filed against him (and by him).—
Phoebe Eaton,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2025
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This upends some seemingly common-sense assumptions about how society would adopt generative AI, suggesting it will be used in more reflective, introspective ways than was at first predicted.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Adverb
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One defendant — Katrina Woods, 33, of Maricopa, Ariz. — listed in her fraudulent claim a nonexistent address in Altadena that was supposedly destroyed as her primary residence, authorities said.—
Kaitlyn Huamani,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2025
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Meanwhile, the supposedly rousing action finale hinges on whether the bad guys will kill a busload of kids and drop them into a mass grave.—
A.A. Dowd,
Rolling Stone,
25 Apr. 2025
Adverb
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Lawyers for the Venezuelans said many have been loaded on to buses, presumably headed for the airport, without having had a realistic opportunity to contest their removal under the Alien Enemies Act.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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The most immediate context for this comment is presumably both the backlash to Hogwarts Legacy and the ongoing backlash over Rowling’s views writ large regarding trans women being dangerous predators.—
Aja Romano,
Vox,
18 Apr. 2025
Adverb
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Illinois residents evidently are juicy targets, reporting more fraud per capita than residents of 40 other states, according to the FTC.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
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The tight, shiny skin weeps an oily iridescence that tints the light around the woman as she twirls, evidently delighted by her affliction.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Adverb
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The best is probably Jonathan Bullard, a decent run-stuffer who was a 17-game starter for Brian Flores’ Vikings defense last season.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
25 Apr. 2025
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The data goes to show that many moms aren’t waiting around for their family, who is probably too dependent on her planning skills, to schedule a special dinner just for her.—
Liz Regalia,
Parents,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ostensibly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostensibly. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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