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 advanced lifting technique — which has become a favorite of specialist surgeons for its apparent longer lasting results — not only repositions the top layer of skin (known as an endoscopic facelift) but also the complex network of tissue and fibrous muscles below.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN,
22 Mar. 2025
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Fears of a possible constitutional crisis are on the rise following an apparent standoff between Donald Trump and a federal judge after the president was ordered to stop deportation flights traveling to El Salvador.—
The Editors,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Russian troops often carve that backs off their assault cars’ cabs in order to facilitate a quick exit, so there was nothing but a possible thin screen to stop an FPV that barreled toward the anti-tank mine resting in the back of one idling Lada.—
David Axe,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
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Citing the sheriff's office, WESH reported that deputies initially responded to a report of a possible shooting at the couple's home in Orlo Vista, just west of Orlando, at around 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The ostensible reason for shuttering VOA, according to last Friday’s executive order, is to reduce bureaucracy, as if all government workers are pushing papers back and forth without purpose.—
Al Pessin,
Orlando Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2025
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Surely there’s a tube of glue somewhere in this massive house, but this is about the outing, not its ostensible purpose.—
Chris Klimek,
Vulture,
13 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
-
Find the right dog kennel site This may seem obvious, but good site selection can mean the difference between a single workday and an entire holiday weekend.—
Patrick Brady,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2025
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The crony character of protectionism becomes obvious when examining the labyrinthine incoherence of U.S. trade policy.—
David B. McGarry,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Next week, the Mavericks will strive to fend off a pair of sub-.500 clubs, the 23-51 Brooklyn Nets and the 35-38 Atlanta Hawks, at home in American Airlines Arena before heading to Tinseltown to suit up against another probable lower playoff seed in the West, the 42-31 L.A. Clippers.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2025
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Hawks star guard Trae Young (right Achilles tendinitis) is probable to play against the Heat.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ostensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostensive. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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