as in apparently
to all outward appearances
ostensibly a university student studying abroad, he was actually an espionage agent
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Recent Examples of ostensibly
The move was hailed as a win for consumer rights, ostensibly limiting the ability of many companies to harvest data without permission.
—
Anisha Sircar, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
Mood music changing The mood music in Moscow appeared to change swiftly after the Russia-U.S. talks in Riyadh on Tuesday which aimed — ostensibly — to lay the groundwork for upcoming peace talks on Ukraine, despite Kyiv’s absence from the discussions.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2025
Adames also stopped by the Arizona complex after signing his record-setting seven-year, $182 million contract, ostensibly to check out the Giants’ facilities and scope out houses in the Scottsdale area.
—Andrew Baggarly, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
While the premise is ostensibly a tour through the different eras of New York City, the real purpose was to tour the different eras of SNL casts through this big, brassy prism.
—Joe Berkowitz, Vulture, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ostensibly
Anisha Sircar, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
Mood music changing The mood music in Moscow appeared to change swiftly after the Russia-U.S. talks in Riyadh on Tuesday which aimed — ostensibly — to lay the groundwork for upcoming peace talks on Ukraine, despite Kyiv’s absence from the discussions.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2025
Adames also stopped by the Arizona complex after signing his record-setting seven-year, $182 million contract, ostensibly to check out the Giants’ facilities and scope out houses in the Scottsdale area.
—Andrew Baggarly, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
While the premise is ostensibly a tour through the different eras of New York City, the real purpose was to tour the different eras of SNL casts through this big, brassy prism.
—Joe Berkowitz, Vulture, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ostensibly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostensibly
Adverb
-
Not going anywhere, except, apparently, to the top of the list of those who continue to endure.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Mar. 2025
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Each personality is trapped in this specific hell, a never-ending series of dentist appointments, eternal Christmas card-writing, constantly being in a plane apparently about to crash.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
Adverb
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While the Duchess of Sussex’s new lifestyle show is brimming with celebrity cameos — Mindy Kaling and Abigail Spencer appear in the series — her most notable co-stars may very well be her seemingly endless array of spring-ready outfits.—
Averi Baudler,
People.com,
5 Mar. 2025
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However, during his address before a joint session of Congress Tuesday, Trump clearly identified Musk as the person running DOGE, seemingly contradicting his own administration.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
5 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
Rubio supposedly rejected Musk’s accusation, mentioning that more than 1,500 employees had opted to take buyouts, which should count toward workforce reduction numbers, according to multiple reports.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
10 Mar. 2025
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The nineteen-forties and fifties were supposedly an era of liberal consensus, when both parties agreed on the virtues of the welfare state and a U.S.-led international order.—
Beverly Gage,
The New Yorker,
10 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
This presumably reflects the uncertainty over what Donald Trump will or will not do as president.—
Christian Weller,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
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The probe's destination is Europa, a moon of Jupiter coated with a shell of ice that conceals a vast, presumably salty ocean.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
1 Mar. 2025
Adverb
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Funds have evidently benefited from Applovin as an addition, as shares of the ad tech company have risen more than 24% in 2025.—
Sean Conlon,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2025
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The president evidently wants journalists to obey his guidance; repeat his words; follow his rules.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN,
12 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
Expect a rough battle, lots of fireworks, and most probably a long shutdown.—
Richard McGahey,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
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And honestly, like Toby says in the film, people are probably the biggest thing to be afraid of, more than stepping on venomous snakes.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
8 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ostensibly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostensibly. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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