Ostensibly

//ɒˈstɛn.sɪ.bli// adv

adv ·Moderate ·College level

Definitions

Adverb
  1. 1
    Seemingly, apparently, on the surface; supposedly, according to representations or implications made by someone (especially when their motives are suspected by others). modal, not-comparable

    "Near-synonyms: reportedly, reputedly, purportedly, putatively, rumoredly, supposedly, allegedly, possibly, probably, likely, plausibly, presumably; see also Thesaurus:ostensibly"

Adverb
  1. 1
    from appearances alone wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
apparentlyapparentlyat first blushseeminglyallegedlyallegedly

Example

More examples

"The website is filled with heavily censored depictions of what are ostensibly violent and pornographic incidents as means of shock value."

Etymology

From ostensible + -ly.

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.