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Definition of ostensibly

ostensibly

/ɑːˈstɛn.sə.bli/
os · ten · si · bly
Adjective:ostensible
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ostensibly Lexical Profile

ostensibly Game Scores & Validity

• adverb

1

As appears or is stated to be true, though not necessarily so; professedly or on the surface.

Example

"The committee was formed ostensibly to improve workplace efficiency, though many employees suspected its real goal was budget reduction."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

Unlike 'apparently', which simply reports how things seem based on available evidence, 'ostensibly' carries a strong implication of skepticism, suggesting that the stated reason or appearance is a cover for a different, hidden motive.

• Rhymes for ostensibly

• Nearby Words

osprey
osprey falls
osso buco
ostensibly
ostentation
ostentatious
ostentatiously

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from the adjective 'ostensible', which comes via French from the Medieval Latin 'ostensibilis', ultimately rooted in the Latin verb 'ostendere' ('to show' or 'to stretch out before view').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Ostensibly. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/ostensibly
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