as in apparent
appearing to be true on the basis of evidence that may or may not be confirmed
the ostensive purpose of his visit was to discuss the terms of his will
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Recent Examples of ostensive
The ostensive unpopularity of violet versus purple nagged at the back of Tager’s mind for much of his life, eventually setting him on a 20-year journey across 193 museums in 42 countries.
—
Stephen MacKnik, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2021
Just like Glaucon, the best this new interlocutor could do is an ostensive definition - provide examples of justice - or possibly present the etymology of the word.
—Theodore McDarrah, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2023
Researchers in this new study show that dogs made their decisions based on these ostensive cues as well.
—Sarah Zhang, Discover Magazine, 28 Apr. 2012
This obviously doesn’t mean the Nuggets reserve unit has transformed into the cream of the crop, and that minus-three remains a concern for a team with ostensive (if diminished) title hopes.
—Joel Rush, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2021
Ask this question to a random group of people, the answer will most likely be ostensive.
—Teddy McDarrah, Forbes, 28 June 2021
The United Arab Emirates has taken advantage of the fight and now dominates the south, squeezing out its ostensive ally, Hadi.
—Washington Post, 12 May 2018
Cairo streets are lined with campaign banners and posters extolling el-Sissi, who has done little in the way of traditional campaigning, and has not publicly mentioned his ostensive challenger, Moussa Mustafa Moussa.
—Fox News, 26 Mar. 2018
Stephen MacKnik, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2021
Just like Glaucon, the best this new interlocutor could do is an ostensive definition - provide examples of justice - or possibly present the etymology of the word.
—Theodore McDarrah, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2023
Researchers in this new study show that dogs made their decisions based on these ostensive cues as well.
—Sarah Zhang, Discover Magazine, 28 Apr. 2012
This obviously doesn’t mean the Nuggets reserve unit has transformed into the cream of the crop, and that minus-three remains a concern for a team with ostensive (if diminished) title hopes.
—Joel Rush, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2021
Ask this question to a random group of people, the answer will most likely be ostensive.
—Teddy McDarrah, Forbes, 28 June 2021
The United Arab Emirates has taken advantage of the fight and now dominates the south, squeezing out its ostensive ally, Hadi.
—Washington Post, 12 May 2018
Cairo streets are lined with campaign banners and posters extolling el-Sissi, who has done little in the way of traditional campaigning, and has not publicly mentioned his ostensive challenger, Moussa Mustafa Moussa.
—Fox News, 26 Mar. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostensive
Adjective
-
The most apparent sign of a mouse infestation in a home is droppings near food sources, such as kitchen cabinets, pantries, and under furniture.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Jan. 2025
-
Yet the apparent optimism was a thin veneer over deep uncertainty.—
Jeanna Smialek,
New York Times,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Sources familiar with the probe say SEC investigators are looking at what Ruiz’s company represented to investors about its value and other possible securities violations.—
Ben Wieder and,
Miami Herald,
17 Jan. 2025
-
Implement security measures: Protect the recordings by saving them in a secure location and utilizing encryption where possible.—
Jason Foodman,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Jesse Eisenberg — who wrote, directed, and stars opposite Culkin — is the ostensible protagonist David, Benji’s uptight, socially awkward cousin who envies and pities him in equal measure, but A Real Pain is Culkin’s showcase.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
23 Jan. 2025
-
The ostensible subject was a new baby girl, Liza, born to the star Judy Garland and the director Vincente Minnelli.—
Manohla Dargis,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Political pressure will come to the Kremlin not just from opponents of the war but also from those dismayed by the military’s startling incompetence and seeming lack of determination.—
Michael Kimmage,
Foreign Affairs,
27 Sep. 2022
Adjective
-
There is an obvious set of two scoring lines and two shutdown lines available.—
Murat Ates,
The Athletic,
17 Jan. 2025
-
Johnson has emerged as the team’s primary back on third downs and obvious passing downs, catching 18 passes for 284 yards and three touchdowns and carrying the ball 41 times for 213 yards and one score.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Pitt’s cause of death was revealed as sharp and blunt force injuries with probable strangulation, according to the Ventura County Medical Examiner, The Ventura County Star reported.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
17 Jan. 2025
-
In a season in which a Clemson-Alabama CFP rematch seemed probable, this shocker temporarily shook up that inevitability.—
Scott Dochterman,
The Athletic,
15 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near ostensive
Cite this Entry
“Ostensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostensive. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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