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
-
That danger was apparent when formaldehyde in plywood used to build temporary trailer homes for victims of Hurricane Katrina sickened dozens of people.—
Hiroko Tabuchi,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2025
-
It’s been apparent in the last several years that the number of corporate CMOs is going down.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Lift one leg to the side, trying to keep your body as still as possible.—
Hilary Achauer,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 2025
-
And the sonic design just, like, blows your head apart, as if to say this is the scariest part of the possible sequence — just the uncertainty of what’s happening.—
Michaela Zee,
Variety,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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These include subsidies that give homegrown producers an advantage over U.S. exports; ostensible health rules that are used to keep out foreign products; and loose regulations that encourage the theft of trade secrets and other intellectual property.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2025
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And even the fiercest critics of the tariffs bent a knee to Trump’s ostensible but exaggerated rationale for the tariffs, the flow of fentanyl and undocumented workers coming into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 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
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Doohan faces Colapinto questions There were two obvious topics facing Alpine drivers Jack Doohan and Pierre Gasly.—
Luke Smith,
The Athletic,
22 Feb. 2025
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But Heffernan's greatest sustainability goal is obvious: keeping this landmark preserved for future generations.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Rockies probable pitchers: RHP Gabriel Hughes, RHP Diego Castillo, RHP Angel Chivilli, LHP Jefry Yan, LHP Evan Justice, RHP Zach Agnos, RHP Tommy Doyle. Want more Rockies news?—
Patrick Saunders,
The Denver Post,
21 Feb. 2025
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Interchangeable white male actors play the series’ leftist punching bags, veterans who got radicalized after their tours overseas; there’s no sympathy for their probable PTSD and feelings of abandonment and frustration for serving in forever wars.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
20 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ostensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostensive. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
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