SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
ostensible
adjective
Presented as the reason or appearance, though the reality may differ.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Presented as apparent reality
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topOstensible allows that the real reason or state of affairs may differ, without necessarily proving deception.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See ostensible in use
The ostensible purpose of the trip was business, but he also hoped to visit friends.
The ostensible purpose of a networking event was to introduce local designers to one another.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license