ostensiblyadv.
/ɒˈstɛnsᵻbli/, U.S. /əˈstɛnsəbli/ 1. In an ostensible manner; avowedly, declaredly, professedly. Usually distinguished from, and often implicitly or explicitly opposed to, actually or really: apparently, but not necessarily or really.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > manifestation > [adverb]
outa1398
feelably?a1475
manifestlyc1475
livishly1530
lively1548
demonstratively1571
declaringly1583
exhibitively1611
manifestatively1649
ostensibly1762
ostensively1763
forthrightly1934
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > semblance, outward show > [adverb] > in appearance
colourably1433
in show1556
for show1563
affectedly1637
speciously1647
ostensibly1762
ostensively1763
lamb-fashion1810
pretencedly1885
the mind > will > motivation > [adverb] > as a pretext
pretensively1607
professedly1782
ostensibly1871
1762 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Painting II. ii. 55 He was even employed in the treaty of marriage, though ostensibly acting only in the character of a painter.
1788 A. Hamilton in Federalist Papers lxx. 242 This unity may be destroyed in two ways: either by vesting the power in two or more magistrates of equal dignity and authority; or by vesting it ostensibly in one man.
1837 S. Smith Wks. (1867) II. 249 He put his trust really where he put his trust ostensibly.
1871 W. H. Ainsworth Tower Hill ii. i The neglected Queen was sent to Richmond, ostensibly for change of air, but really that she might be out of the way.
1891 T. Hardy Tess of the D'Urbervilles I. xix. 243 She soon found a curious correspondence between the ostensibly chance position of the cows and her wishes in this matter, till at length she felt that their order could not be the result of accident.
1916 E. R. Burroughs Beasts of Tarzan i. 9 And so they parted, he to hasten to Dover and she, ostensibly, to wait at home until he should notify her of the outcome of his mission.
1971 N. Barber War of Running Dogs ii. 32 The Min Yuen..consisted of ostensibly normal, innocent citizens who would in fact back up the army.
2000 Time 14 Feb. 34/3 The primary is ostensibly open, but when it comes to awarding delegates, Democrats and Republicans alike plan to count only the votes of the registered party members.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pride > ostentation > [adverb]
boggishlya1375
with great renowna1400
jettingly1440
flourishingly?1545
rufflingly1575
flaunt-a-flaunt1576
peacock-like1576
peacockwise1577
peacockly1580
aflaunt1584
vauntingly1593
wealth boastingly1593
prankingly1610
fastuously1654
ostentativelya1658
ostentously1665
ostentatiously1671
showily1755
violently1771
paradingly1792
peacockically1834
peacockishly1834
pretentiously1848
ostensibly1855
slangily1858
peacocky1860
splurgily1887
swankily1924
glitzily1982
1855 H. Martineau Autobiogr. (1877) I. 272 Madame de Stael was exhibited as ostensibly at the British Gallery as any of the pictures on the walls.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2004; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.1762