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Dictionary.com
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.

Both fall under the category of "mundane job simulations", an ever-growing gaming genre in which people carry out routine and - on the face of it - not very exciting tasks.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 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