ostensibly
adverb
os·ten·si·bly
ä-ˈsten(t)-sə-blē 
ə-
1
: in an ostensible manner
2
: to all outward appearances
Synonyms
Examples of ostensibly in a Sentence
The god of cleanliness is never satisfied. In America, the ostensibly egalitarian nature of society meant that cleanliness was used to mark status.
—
Joanna Bourke, Harper's, April 2008
Budweiser and Miller, on the other hand, have eroded their credibility by launching brands ostensibly produced by microbreweries. They've been found out, with resulting customer cynicism.
—James R. Rosenfield, Demographics, December 1997
The day after Clinton made his seemingly proactive statement, he met with congressional leaders of both parties, ostensibly to press the case for military intervention.
—Michael Kelly, New Yorker, 19 Dec.1994
ostensibly a university student studying abroad, he was actually an espionage agent
Joanna Bourke, Harper's, April 2008
Budweiser and Miller, on the other hand, have eroded their credibility by launching brands ostensibly produced by microbreweries. They've been found out, with resulting customer cynicism.
—James R. Rosenfield, Demographics, December 1997
The day after Clinton made his seemingly proactive statement, he met with congressional leaders of both parties, ostensibly to press the case for military intervention.
—Michael Kelly, New Yorker, 19 Dec.1994
ostensibly a university student studying abroad, he was actually an espionage agent
Recent Examples on the Web
The song is ostensibly about flowers, but its jubilant sound, which starts with the gentle flirtation of a descending guitar melody and Riperton’s signature soprano vocals before building into a magnificent, almost booming chorus, evokes the heady, sweeping feelings of a dramatic love affair.
—Cady Lang, TIME, 17 May 2024
Following Daphne and Simon's love story in season 1, and the second season seeing the eldest Bridgerton son Anthony finding his future wife in Kate Sharma, season 3 will focus on Penelope searching for a husband after ostensibly giving up on her crush on Colin.
—Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 15 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for ostensibly 
Cady Lang, TIME, 17 May 2024
Following Daphne and Simon's love story in season 1, and the second season seeing the eldest Bridgerton son Anthony finding his future wife in Kate Sharma, season 3 will focus on Penelope searching for a husband after ostensibly giving up on her crush on Colin.
—Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 15 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for ostensibly
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Dictionary Entries Near ostensibly
Cite this Entry
“Ostensibly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ostensibly. Accessed 23 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ostensibly
adverb
os·ten·si·bly
ä-ˈsten(t)-sə-blē
ə-
: to all outward appearances : seemingly
a statement ostensibly true
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