as in apparent
appearing to be true on the basis of evidence that may or may not be confirmed
the ostensible reason for the meeting turned out to be a trick to get him to the surprise party
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Recent Examples of ostensible
These include subsidies that give homegrown producers an advantage over U.S. exports; ostensible health rules that are used to keep out foreign products; and loose regulations that encourage the theft of trade secrets and other intellectual property.
—
Christopher Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2025
And even the fiercest critics of the tariffs bent a knee to Trump’s ostensible but exaggerated rationale for the tariffs, the flow of fentanyl and undocumented workers coming into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2025
The sort of revelatory artifice is exactly what is so often missing from American movies, which, despite ostensible naturalism, lack the feeling of authentic contact with reality—especially of inner realities—which is so abundant in Gómez’s work.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2025
What’s remarkable is that they are all made by Chinese companies—the latest evidence that ostensible national security concerns won’t stop American users from flocking to Chinese apps.
—Selina Xu, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ostensible
Christopher Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2025
And even the fiercest critics of the tariffs bent a knee to Trump’s ostensible but exaggerated rationale for the tariffs, the flow of fentanyl and undocumented workers coming into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2025
The sort of revelatory artifice is exactly what is so often missing from American movies, which, despite ostensible naturalism, lack the feeling of authentic contact with reality—especially of inner realities—which is so abundant in Gómez’s work.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2025
What’s remarkable is that they are all made by Chinese companies—the latest evidence that ostensible national security concerns won’t stop American users from flocking to Chinese apps.
—Selina Xu, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ostensible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostensible
Adjective
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Elvia Anaya, administrative specialist at Omni Laundry, told Rivet that the upsides of producing in L.A. are readily apparent.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Mar. 2025
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On a separate note, a major situation around fertility or a child could be apparent.—
Kyle Thomas,
People.com,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
He has been floated as a possible presidential candidate in 2028.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC News,
7 Mar. 2025
-
On Friday night, light rain showers and snow showers are possible in parts of the Northeast.—
Emily Shapiro,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This year organizers are acknowledging openly what’s been obvious for a while.—
Rob Salkowitz,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
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Then there are the injuries and other conditions that emergency physicians treat regularly that are often preventable — but may not be obvious to the rest of us.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Emilia Pérez’s turnout in particular was a fall from seeming dominance, perhaps precipitated by Gascón’s controversy.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
3 Mar. 2025
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That night of violence — with its brutality and seeming lack of a motive — has shaken the community.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Sep. 2024
Adjective
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Another probable place to lay blame is the social media companies that draw kids in, memorizing their patterns through algorithms to keep them viewing and engaged.—
Katie Grant,
Parents,
4 Mar. 2025
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Friday Rockies probable pitchers: LHP Kyle Freeland, RHP Antonio Senzatela, RHP Angel Chivilli, RHP Diego Castillo, LHP Evan Justice, LHP Jack O’Loughlin.—
Patrick Saunders,
The Denver Post,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The problem is the mayor, the supposed guardian of city taxpayers, who apparently can’t say no and who appears to have used the contract talks to buy the manager’s loyalty.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Feb. 2025
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YouTubers are used to carefully scanning supposed offers to weed out the real ones from the fakes.—
Ashley Belanger,
Ars Technica,
19 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Ostensible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostensible. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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