ostensible

USAGE SUMMARY

'ostensible' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe something that appears to be true, but may not actually be the case. For example: The pilot's ostensible reason for the delay was unexpected bad weather, but many passengers were suspicious.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Phew – and we haven't even got to the play that is our ostensible reason for meeting.

The Guardian

The ostensible health effects of homosexuality were another key focus of both speeches and educational materials, and the spread of disease a productive refrain.

The Guardian

Their ostensible grasps at scientific credibility crumble upon even a cursory inspection, and their odious arguments, bereft of facts, should not be allowed set the tone of the conversation.

The Guardian

And MBAs' ostensible disregard for the size of their pay packets must be put into context a student from a top ten school in The Economist's ranking will still earn an average basic salary of $118,000 immediately after graduation.

The Economist

Encouraged by an ostensible Maoist ceasefire proposal, India's home minister, Palaniappan Chidambaram, has repeatedly declared the government ready to talk provided the insurgents first lay down their arms.

The Economist

The ostensible reason is that to single out a single businessman, when Mr Lukashenka is supported by a whole network of them, would not be credible.

The Economist

Although its ostensible purpose was to mend personal fences with Iain Duncan Smith, the work and pensions minister, the episcopal posting acknowledged the need for a massive overhaul of the benefits system, in language that showed no respect for the canons of the centre-left.

The Economist

The ostensible ground for delay is over the newcomers' role.

The Economist

And anyway--this with a wink and a nod--the ostensible redeployment from 9% of the West Bank would be, in practice, a pullback from merely 2%.But for his critics in the Likud and the National Religious Party, even 2% is too much.

The Economist

Given the manipulation by those in power, this is understandable.Theodore Roosevelt's admonition about the United States around a century ago applies with full force in Ukraine: "Behind the ostensible government sits enthroned an invisible government, owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the people.

The Economist

Pakistan would much prefer to keep America as its ostensible ally, rather than a declared enemy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ostensible" to introduce a reason, purpose, or attribute that is presented or appears to be true, but may not necessarily be the actual or complete truth. It adds a layer of skepticism or qualification to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "ostensible" if there's no contrasting or conflicting information. If the apparent reason is indeed the true reason, a more straightforward adjective like "stated" or "official" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The word "ostensible" functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that something is presented or appears to be true but may not necessarily be the actual or complete truth. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ostensible" is a versatile adjective that signals a potential discrepancy between appearance and reality. It is frequently employed in news and business contexts to introduce an element of doubt or qualification, as noted by Ludwig. To avoid misusing this term, ensure that there's a clear, or at least implied, contrast to the stated reason or purpose. Its high frequency and consistent usage across reputable sources, like The Economist and The Guardian, underline its value in sophisticated communication. As Ludwig AI indicates, "ostensible" is a correct and usable word in written English, provided its subtle implications are understood and properly applied.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeming

Emphasizes the appearance or impression given by something, potentially misleading.

apparent

Highlights how something appears on the surface, often implying a contrast with the underlying reality.

professed

Focuses on a stated intention or belief, which may not be genuinely held or reflected in actions.

supposed

Indicates something is believed or assumed to be true, without necessarily being the case.

outward

Draws attention to the external appearance, which might conceal a different inner state or purpose.

on the surface

Implies an initial or superficial understanding that does not delve into deeper complexities or truths.

ostensive

Relates to directly demonstrating or pointing out, which may or may not reflect complete information.

presented as

Highlights how something is being shown or portrayed, often with an agenda or specific intention.

putative

Suggests something is commonly accepted or assumed, but lacks definitive proof or validation.

alleged

Used to describe something that is claimed to be the case but has not been proven.

FAQs

How to use "ostensible" in a sentence?

Use "ostensible" to describe something that appears to be the case but might not be. For example, "The "ostensible reason" for his resignation was health issues, but rumors suggest otherwise".

What can I say instead of "ostensible"?

You can use alternatives like "seeming", "apparent", or "professed" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "ostensible" and "apparent"?

"Ostensible" suggests a reason or purpose that is presented but potentially untrue, while ""apparent"" refers to something that is easily seen or understood. "Ostensible" often implies a hidden truth.

Is it correct to use "ostensible" when something is definitely false?

While "ostensible" suggests a degree of doubt, it's best used when there's a reasonable possibility the stated reason is not the whole truth. If something is definitely false, terms like "sham" or "fake" might be more accurate.