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GRE vocabulary

ostensible

adjectiveHigh-frequency wordMore O words

appearing to be true on the surface but possibly not genuine

Word origin: From Latin ostendere, to show.

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In a sentence

Ostensible in a sentence

Here are example sentences showing ostensible in a sentence.

The ostensible reason for the trip was business, but he mainly wanted a vacation.

The ostensible purpose of the visit was cultural exchange, though both delegations came to negotiate trade.

Synonyms
apparentprofessedsupposed
Antonyms
actualgenuinereal

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Verbal · Sentence Equivalence

The naturalist warned that the alpine bloom was blank, a spectacle of color that would vanish within days of the thaw, leaving no trace by midsummer.

Select the two answers that give the sentence the same meaning. 0 of 2 selected.

Usage & nuance

Using “ostensible” well

Ostensible means appearing true on the surface while possibly masking the real motive or fact. It frequently signals a gap between a stated reason and the actual one.

Common questions

Questions about “ostensible”

Ostensible (adjective) means appearing to be true on the surface but possibly not genuine
Here is ostensible used in an example sentence: "The ostensible reason for the trip was business, but he mainly wanted a vacation." Another example: "The ostensible purpose of the visit was cultural exchange, though both delegations came to negotiate trade."
Common synonyms for ostensible include apparent, professed, supposed.
Antonyms of ostensible include actual, genuine, real.
Ostensible clusters with apparent, professed, and supposed. Its antonyms actual, genuine, and real mark the contrast between surface appearance and underlying truth.
Yes. Ostensible is a high-frequency GRE word, so it is worth prioritising as you build your vocabulary.

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