ostensibly

[ o-sten-suh-blee ]

adverb

1. in appearance only; supposedly:

   The event was ostensibly for charity, but he mainly used it to promote his new book.

Other Words From

• non·os·ten·si·bly adverb
• un·os·ten·si·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of ostensibly¹

First recorded in 1760–70; ostensib(le) ( def ) + -ly ( def )

Example Sentences

Under Israeli law, the police had done nothing wrong — the villages they destroyed were among 35 Bedouin communities "unrecognized" by the government, ostensibly because they were built without official authorization.

From Salon

As recently as May, a Telegram account ostensibly linked to the party posted a video calling for the violent toppling of electrical towers and the destruction of power grids.

From Salon

One new ostensibly pro-worker policy that Trump, as well as his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, have proposed: ending taxes on tips.

From Salon

Two, ostensibly, if you count the payday that will allow Rita to move on from her job.

From Los Angeles Times

But the White House may very well have come to the belated conclusion that unconditionality hasn’t worked in leading to the regional deescalation it ostensibly wants.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• evidently
• officially
• seemingly
• supposedly