ostensible

Speech parts

1. ostensible - Adjective

2. ostensible - Adjective Satellite

Meaning

Capable of being shown; proper or intended to be shown.

Shown; exhibited; declared; avowed; professed; apparent; -- often used as opposed to real or actual; as, an ostensible reason, motive, or aim.

Source: Webster's dictionary

Synonyms

apparent seeming ostensive possible surface open likely illusive external formal notable assumed false supposed theoretical
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Antonyms

good real bona fide actual absolute valid
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Related terms

ostentatious ostentation ostensive

Phrases with the word

ostensible reason less ostensible more ostensible

Examples

Jealousy - that jumble of secret worship and ostensible aversion. Emil Cioran

That taxes may be the ostensible cause is true, but that they are the true cause is as far remote from truth as light from darkness. Henry Knox

Behind the ostensible government sits enthroned an invisible government owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the people. Theodore Roosevelt

In reality the workings of your governing system are opaque and covert, while hiding in the chattering spotlight of an ostensible transparency, even though the ultimate objective is clear. Breyten Breytenbach

Would that all excellent books were foundlings, without father or mother, that so it might be, we could glorify them, without including their ostensible authors. Herman Melville

I'm just attracted to playing people who are ostensible unlikable. That's not to say that there's something in there that makes you care. It might be that you just find them so awful that you just can't stop watching, like a car crash. Steve Coogan

Close letter words and terms

ostend Ostender ostensibility ostensible reason ostensibly ostension