ostensibly

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.

International law permits attacks on energy plants and other ostensibly civilian targets only if determined that they primarily support military activity.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

Customer-service roles are ostensibly among the most vulnerable to AI.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

Though no real details about the new film were revealed, references to it peppered the conversation as if it were very much on Spielberg’s mind — the film he was ostensibly there to promote.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026

Those powers, Thomas wrote, include tariffs, which are ostensibly not “within the core legislative power.”

From Slate • Feb. 20, 2026

The simple act of moving their heads up and down, ostensibly for another reason entirely — was sufficient to cause them to recommend a policy that would take money out of their own pockets.

From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell