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ostensibly

adverb

/ɒˈstɛnsɪbli/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of ostensibly

Appearing to be true on the surface, but may not actually be the case.
"The couple was ostensibly happily married, but rumors of a separation circulated."

Detailed meaning of ostensibly

It suggests that something is being presented as true or genuine, but there may be hidden motives or underlying factors that contradict this appearance. For example, someone might ostensibly agree to a plan or proposal, but actually have reservations or objections that they are not expressing openly. Alternatively, something might ostensibly appear to be a certain way, but there may be underlying complexities or contradictions that make this appearance misleading. The adverb "ostensibly" implies a sense of surface-level appearance or superficiality, and suggests that there may be more going on beneath the surface. It is often used in discussions of politics, media, and social interactions, where appearances and perceptions can be deceiving.

Example sentences containing ostensibly

1. He ostensibly agreed to help, but he never showed up.
2. Her smile was ostensibly friendly, but there was a hint of deception.
3. The company's ostensibly generous offer had hidden fees.
4. They ostensibly celebrated the holiday, but their hearts weren't in it.
5. The politician's speech was ostensibly about unity, but it was full of divisive rhetoric.
6. The product was ostensibly new, but it had been refurbished.

History and etymology of ostensibly

The adverb 'ostensibly' has its etymological origins in Latin. It is derived from the Latin word 'ostensus,' which is the past participle of 'ostendere,' meaning 'to show' or 'to display.' In essence, 'ostensibly' originally conveyed the idea of something being shown or displayed for observation. Over time, this term evolved in English to describe situations where something appears to be true or genuine on the surface, but may not actually be the case upon closer examination. 'Ostensibly' is often used to indicate that there is an outward appearance or presentation that may conceal the true nature or intent of a situation. The etymology of 'ostensibly' underscores its historical connection to the act of showing or displaying, emphasizing the idea that appearances can sometimes be deceptive, requiring a deeper investigation to uncover the reality beneath the surface.

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Further usage examples of ostensibly

1. They were ostensibly on vacation, but they spent most of their time working.
2. The meeting was ostensibly about teamwork, but it quickly devolved into a blame game.
3. The movie was ostensibly a comedy, but it had a lot of dark themes.
4. She ostensibly apologized, but it felt insincere.
5. His ostensibly innocent question revealed a hidden agenda.
6. The company's ostensibly eco-friendly practices were just a marketing ploy.
7. The report was ostensibly complete, but it lacked crucial information.
8. They were ostensibly allies, but their actions suggested otherwise.
9. The restaurant was ostensibly clean, but the food hygiene was questionable.
10. Their ostensibly open-door policy didn't apply to everyone.
11. The website was ostensibly secure, but it got hacked.
12. He was ostensibly in good health, but he had hidden health issues.
13. The new policy was ostensibly fair, but it disproportionately affected certain groups.
14. The article was ostensibly unbiased, but it subtly favored one side.
15. The charity was ostensibly helping the needy, but most of the funds went to administrative costs.
16. The manager was ostensibly supportive, but he undermined his team behind their backs.
17. The book was ostensibly a memoir, but it contained elements of fiction.
18. The project was ostensibly on schedule, but there were many delays.