ostensible
appearing to be true on the surface but possibly not genuine
Word origin: From Latin ostendere, to show.
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.
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.
More GRE words starting with O
a stupid, clumsy, or boorish person
stubbornly refusing to change one's mind or course of action
a gesture or attitude of deep respect or submission
showing deferential respect or submissive obedience
a tapering stone pillar with a pyramidal top, typically erected as a monument
grossly overweight to a degree that poses a health risk
to make something deliberately unclear or confusing
the act of making something deliberately unclear or confusing
Questions about “ostensible”
Learn words the way the GRE tests them.
Vocabulary sticks when you meet it in real sentences. Practise these words inside text completion and sentence equivalence questions.