ostensibly
gb/ɑstˈɛnsəbli/ us/ɑstˈɛnsəbli/
C1
Inglês
Aceções
0 aceções
adverb
formal
C1
relation
1
apparently, though maybe not true
used to say something seems true, but you are not sure it really is
Padrão de uso:
ostensibly + [clause/phrase]
Erro comum:
Do not confuse with ostentatiously (meaning “in a showy way”).
Sinónimos
apparently (More common and neutral; may not imply doubt as strongly.)
|
seemingly (Close in meaning; often a little less pointed about hidden motives.)
|
purportedly (Emphasizes that something is claimed, often with skepticism.)
|
on the face of it (Idiomatic; focuses on surface evidence.)
Antónimos
actually (Contrasts appearance with the real situation.)
|
really (Emphasizes what is true rather than what seems true.)
Colocações
ostensibly to do something
|ostensibly for a reason
|ostensibly about
|ostensibly in support of
|ostensibly on behalf of
|ostensibly in order to
|ostensibly independent
|ostensibly neutral
|ostensibly harmless
|ostensibly unrelated
Temas
communication
|opinions
|media
|daily_life
Exemplos
- She called ostensibly to check in, but I think she wanted gossip.
- The report is ostensibly about safety, yet it mainly discusses cost-cutting.
- He resigned ostensibly for health reasons, though colleagues suspected a dispute.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- He left ostensibly to buy milk.
- The meeting was ostensibly about planning.
adverb
formal
C1
relation
2
as officially stated or claimed
according to the reason people give publicly
Padrão de uso:
ostensibly + [for/to/because of] + [reason/purpose]
Erro comum:
Often used with a stated reason (for/to/because); it may still imply skepticism depending on context.
Sinónimos
officially (Stronger: explicitly as the official position, without necessarily implying doubt.)
|
supposedly (More informal; often signals doubt more clearly.)
|
by all accounts (Based on reports; less about an official stated reason.)
Antónimos
unofficially (Not according to the stated or public reason.)
Colocações
ostensibly for security reasons
|ostensibly for personal reasons
|ostensibly to improve efficiency
|ostensibly to protect
|ostensibly because of
|ostensibly due to
|ostensibly in response to
|ostensibly as a result of
Temas
business
|government
|law
|communication
Exemplos
- Ostensibly, the policy change was introduced to simplify the process.
- The company relocated ostensibly to be closer to customers.
- The data was collected ostensibly for research, not for marketing.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- Ostensibly, he moved for work.
Gramática
Forma de dicionário
ostensibly
IPA
GB/ɑstˈɛnsəbli/
US/ɑstˈɛnsəbli/
Sílabas e acento
os - tens - ibly (3 sílabas)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tens)
Formas da palavra
Noun
- Base: ostensibly
- Plural: ostensiblies
Família de palavras
Forms
ostensiblies
noun
Core family
ostensible
adjective C1
Related words
ostentation
noun
ostentatious
adjective
ostentatiously
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
unostentatious
adjective
Expressões
ostensibly for
1/ɑstˈɛnsəbli fɚ/
fixed phrase
formal
with a stated reason
used to introduce the public reason, which may not be the true reason
Exemplos
- She was removed ostensibly for poor performance, but the timing looked political.
- The fund was created ostensibly for education, though most money went elsewhere.
ostensibly to
1/ɑstˈɛnsəbli tə/
fixed phrase
formal
with a stated purpose
used to say the reason seems to be this, but maybe it is not
Exemplos
- He stopped by ostensibly to return a book, but he stayed for hours.
- The committee was formed ostensibly to investigate, not to assign blame.