OSTENSIBLE Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'ostensible' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of ostensible are apparent , illusory , and seeming . While all these words mean "not actually being what appearance indicates," ostensible suggests a discrepancy between an openly declared or naturally implied aim or reason and the true one. // the ostensible reason for their visit

Q: When is it sensible to use 'apparent' instead of 'ostensible'?

The words apparent and ostensible can be used in similar contexts, but apparent suggests appearance to unaided senses that may or may not be borne out by more rigorous examination or greater knowledge. // the apparent cause of the accident

Q: When is 'illusory' a more appropriate choice than 'ostensible'?

Although the words illusory and ostensible have much in common, illusory implies a false impression based on deceptive resemblance or faulty observation, or influenced by emotions that prevent a clear view. // an illusory sense of security

Q: When would 'seeming' be a good substitute for 'ostensible'?

The synonyms seeming and ostensible are sometimes interchangeable, but seeming implies a character in the thing observed that gives it the appearance, sometimes through intent, of something else. // the seeming simplicity of the story

ostensible

adjective

ä-ˈsten(t)-sə-bəl

Definition of ostensible next

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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How does the adjective ostensible contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of ostensible are apparent, illusory, and seeming. While all these words mean "not actually being what appearance indicates," ostensible suggests a discrepancy between an openly declared or naturally implied aim or reason and the true one.

the ostensible reason for their visit

When is it sensible to use apparent instead of ostensible?

The words apparent and ostensible can be used in similar contexts, but apparent suggests appearance to unaided senses that may or may not be borne out by more rigorous examination or greater knowledge.

the apparent cause of the accident

When is illusory a more appropriate choice than ostensible?

Although the words illusory and ostensible have much in common, illusory implies a false impression based on deceptive resemblance or faulty observation, or influenced by emotions that prevent a clear view.

an illusory sense of security

When would seeming be a good substitute for ostensible?

The synonyms seeming and ostensible are sometimes interchangeable, but seeming implies a character in the thing observed that gives it the appearance, sometimes through intent, of something else.

the seeming simplicity of the story

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of ostensible While Monogram’s official website lists nine ostensible retailers —eight in California and one in Arizona — none of the dispensaries actually carry the brand, SF Gate reported. —

Madeline Fitzgerald, Quartz, 3 Dec. 2024 Celebrities including Lily Collins and Elizabeth Hurley, fashion icons Donatella Versace and Betsey Johnson, and the film and musical's ostensible muse, Anna Wintour, were in attendance, as well as the musical's lead, Vanessa Williams. —

Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY, 2 Dec. 2024 The ostensible mission of the Bene Gesserit under Mother Superior Raquella is to assert a kind of benevolent influence on the leaders of the Imperium, sending Truthsayers to help protect them from poisonous lies and manipulating genetic bloodlines to achieve long-term goals. —

Scott Tobias, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2024 While the ostensible purpose of the ASPREE study is to look at aspirin's effects in older adults (the acronym stands for ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly), the effort has produced an impressive database of multiple health markers across populations in Australia and the United States. —

Michael Franco, New Atlas, 21 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ostensible

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostensible

Adjective

Behind the scenes, fans speculated about an apparent rift between Lively and Baldoni, who avoided one another other during press junkets and appeared separately on red carpets.

Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 22 Dec. 2024
Witkoff was with Trump during the apparent second assassination attempt on his life, telling NBC that Secret Service agents dived on Trump and got him off his Florida golf course in under 20 seconds.

Sara Dorn, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024