Meaning & use
Ostensible
Last updated
Stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so.
See it in a sentence
The ostensible reason for his resignation was health, though rumors suggested otherwise.
Her ostensible purpose in visiting was to say hello, but she really wanted to ask for a favor.
A note on using this word
Often signals that a stated reason is a cover story or only part of the truth.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
genuineactual
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “Ostensible”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.