outwardly

adverb

out·​ward·​ly ˈau̇t-wərd-lē 

1

a

: on the outside : externally

b

: toward the outside

2

: in outward state, behavior, or appearance

was outwardly friendly

Examples of outwardly in a Sentence

The two brothers may be outwardly similar, but their personalities couldn't be more different.

Though extremely nervous, she was able to remain outwardly calm during the interview.

Outwardly, their marriage seemed quite normal.

Recent Examples on the Web

Maggie Kuntz is heartbreaking as the girl whose friendships are tested by her loyalty to her creepy father, and Morgan Scott, as the outwardly confident Atlanta girl, registers every undercurrent and slight. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 14 Apr. 2025

Musk seems, at least outwardly, unable to reckon with his current position. —Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 2 Apr. 2025

Both camps seemed outwardly confident heading into Tuesday’s toss-up election. —Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 1 Apr. 2025

Ne-Yo is in the era of embracing his truth, and that looks like being outwardly polyamorous. —Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 24 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

outwardly

adverb

out·​ward·​ly ˈau̇t-wərd-lē 

: on the outside : in outward appearance

outwardly calm