ostensible

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.

That Belmondo morphs from appealing photojournalist to unlikable sexual cad while the picture’s ostensible star—Claude Brasseur as an inadvertent cop killer—disappears for long stretches does the picture no favors.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 21, 2026

Here, Sweeney takes a big leap from her admirable work in small-screen dramas and rom-coms to an ostensible Oscar vehicle, diving into the deep end with the same fearless certainty Martin boasted in the ’90s.

From Salon • Nov. 8, 2025

And leaders with the ostensible authority to drive systemic change have been “managed out” before being given the chance to do much of anything.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 19, 2025

But the movie is more effective as a grim, involving cop thriller than it is as an ostensible statement on the Order’s reverberations in the present.

From New York Times • Dec. 6, 2024

The ostensible reason for the letter is to thank Theo for the money he’d given Pa. He’s still angry with Theo, but he can’t tolerate the separation anymore.

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman