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.
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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
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Sometimes the signs of emotional abuse are not immediately apparent, but the Hotline has a comprehensive section that provides more information, examples and options for determining next steps.R. Eric Thomas, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024
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Finally, the animals in zoos are watched closely, so symptoms of illness become apparent quickly.Jen McCaffery, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Returning to school as quickly as possible, with appropriate support, and getting light exercise that doesn’t pose a head injury risk are important first steps in concussion recovery, and in line with the latest research.Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
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Get as much done as possible today, because your drive will fizzle by evening.Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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This last-minute casting shift delighted Williamson, who’d been influenced by Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, in which Janet Leigh — introduced as the ostensible star of the film — is killed off early on.Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024
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The film’s loose and laid-back structure is accentuated by the contrast provided by the ostensible strictness of its setting: A Christian school for girls.Kambole Campbell, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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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
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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
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But what was once hard to fathom is now an obvious reality.Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024
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Paul and Brian’s relationship, for example, is a minor one compared to most of the central friendships, but there’s an obvious appeal to the drastic contrast in their energies.Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Second, Schipper said, the probable trifecta of controlling the presidency and both chambers of Congress further increases the likelihood that Trump can enact his fiscal agenda.Peter Green, Quartz, 9 Nov. 2024
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Independent of the probable timeline for making repairs to Tropicana Field, it can't be used as an outdoor venue either, because the stadium was not engineered to drain rainwater away from the field.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near ostensive
Cite this Entry
“Ostensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostensive. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
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