Definitions

on the face of it

ADVERB

apparently

Synonyms

STRONGEST

allegedly ostensibly possibly probably supposedly

WEAK

as if as though at a glance at first sight in all likelihood intuitively it appears that it seems that most likely outwardly plausibly professedly reasonably reputably speciously superficially tangibly to all appearances

Antonyms

STRONGEST

improbably unlikely

WEAK

dubiously equivocally questionably uncertain

ADVERB

externally

Synonyms

WEAK

apparently clearly evidently ostensibly seemingly superficially visibly

ADVERB

ostensively

Synonyms

WEAK

allegedly as if as though at a glance at first sight evidently externally in all likelihood intuitively it appears that it seems that most likely ostensibly outwardly plausibly possibly probably professedly reasonably reputably seemingly speciously superficially supposedly tangibly to all appearances

ADVERB

outwardly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

seemingly superficially

STRONG

externally

WEAK

apparently as far as one can see evidently for all intents and purposes in appearance officially on the surface ostensibly professedly to the eye

Antonyms

WEAK

inside internally inwardly privately

ADVERB

presumably

Synonyms

STRONGEST

apparently doubtless probably seemingly supposedly surely

STRONG

presumptively

WEAK

assumably credible doubtlessly hypothetically in all likelihood in all probability indubitably it would seem most likely theoretically unquestionably

Antonyms

STRONGEST

improbably questionably uncertain unlikely

WEAK

doubtfully

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When Recorder Kate Livesey said the egg was "quite extraordinary looking", Porter-Windley said it was "so extraordinary that he wouldn't know on the face of it whether that was high value or not".

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

Oracle has a $523 billion revenue backlog which is impressive on the face of it.

From Barron's • Dec. 11, 2025

His offer of a life estate is, on the face of it, generous.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 11, 2025

Achieving an industrial margin of over 10% is impressive on the face of it, but the figure is flattered by higher R&D capitalization and a property sale in buses, Bernstein says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025

This seems rather enigmatic on the face of it, but actually I cannot think of a better metaphor for Julian’s personality.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

on the face of it

Example Sentences

Related Words