ostensible
7
7.5
- adjective
- /ɑːˈstɛnsəbl/
:
ostensible
- The IEDI's political strategy lay concealed behind its ostensible function as a think tank.
- ostensible purpose
- ostensible reason
- ostensible subject
So he's sort of, you know, talking about his own, his own ostensible group in very bitter terms.
- So he's sort of, you know, talking about his own, his own ostensible group in very bitter terms.
- And the more sort of ostensible way now, main character energy needs an audience.
- Again, the being for another, the ostensible meaning from the real meaning, from the true thing and intention.
Examples
-
I'm terrified by the calmness, even if only ostensible, with which I'm telling you this.
Fiction book (1997) -
At the same time, Bella is the ostensible star of four books.
Blog text (9) -
And so you have to say, OK, we're going to all come to this ostensible agreement that we're equal.
-
Now, the ostensible purpose for this truck ride was what exactly?
-
Whatever our ostensible topic, it became clear to me that this was what they wanted to talk about.
Academic text (2017) -
Scores of you, my ostensible friends, talked behind my back.
-
Both German and Australian colonial governments appointed ostensible local leaders to official posts.
Academic text (1990) -
Conservative Western political thought has played a role in neo-conservatism's two ostensible political purposes.
Academic text (1994) -
Despite this ostensible settlement, the struggle between settlers and indigenes is considered perpetual.
Academic text (1997) -
The ostensible reason for the meeting was to discuss the new project, but there were other motives at play.
Synonyms
129
7.2
Seeming believable but possibly not true
91
3.6
Seeming to be true but possibly false
15
8.7
Appearing true but actually wrong
12
7.0
Seeming to be real but not really there
3
4.7
Appearing to be true when it is not
Said or claimed but maybe not true
Antonyms
How Apparent
Surface Forms
Morphology
ostensible = ostens + ible
Although it contains the recognisable suffix '-ible', the stem 'ostens-' is a Latinate combining form that is not a standalone English word, so learners cannot reliably derive the meaning from known English components.
Etymology
Ostensible comes from an old Latin word ostendere meaning 'to show', like the everyday word 'show'. So, something ostensible is what is put on display or appears to be true, even if it may not be the real reason.