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Glite Dictionary
ostensibility

ostensibility

9.9
Appearing to be true or real but not always so
  • noun
  • /ɑːˌtɛnˈsɪbɪlɪti/
translation icon : ostensibilidad
  • We must distinguish between the ostensibility of fairness and its genuine practice.

Examples

  • Many critics have challenged the ostensibility of their environmental efforts.

  • The ostensibility of his concern was questioned by everyone in the room.

  • The ostensibility of his generosity was questioned by many.

  • Her ostensibility as a concerned citizen was often doubted.

  • Many critics have challenged the ostensibility of their environmental efforts.

  • The ostensibility of his concern was questioned by everyone in the room.

  • We must distinguish between the ostensibility of fairness and its genuine practice.

Synonyms

appearance
vsostensibility
72 5.1

A way of showing yourself that hides problems to make others think well of you

is focused on appearing true or real rather than making a favorable show
semblance
vsostensibility
38 7.9

An appearance that looks normal but hides the real situation

is the state of appearing true or real even if not factual
plausibility
vsostensibility
11 7.0

How likely something is to be true

is the appearance of truth more generally rather than likelihood alone
verisimilitude
vsostensibility
  • Literature
4 9.7

The appearance of being true or real

is about mere appearance of truth without guaranteeing factual reality
seeming
vsostensibility
3 4.7

Appearing to be true when it is not

is the general quality of appearing true or real rather than actual truth
truthiness
vsostensibility
  • Literature
2 8.3

The way something appears to be true even when it is not

is an outward appearance of truth rather than an internal feeling
speciousness
vsostensibility
  • Formal
1 9.4

The appearance of being true when it is false

is a broader appearance of truth not necessarily implying falsity

Antonyms

authenticity
71 4.8

A quality that shows something is real and believable to people

genuineness
3 4.0

The state of being real and sincere

Surface Forms

ostensibility singular
ostensibilities plural

Morphology

ostensibility = ostensible (transparent) = ostensible + ity

A straightforward nominalization: the adjective 'ostensible' plus the productive suffix '-ity' yields 'the quality/state of being ostensible'.

Etymology

Ostensibility comes from the Latin verb ostendere, meaning 'to show', and is related to the English word ostentatious, which means 'showy'. So ostensibility is the quality of appearing to be true or real, being 'shown' even when it may not be genuine.