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

The Colombians would mark the bricks with a dragon symbol, inspired by a bracelet Kassis wore, and ship them to the Syrian port of Latakia in a container ostensibly laden with bananas.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026

This ostensibly allows many users to avoid ID checks, but raises even more privacy concerns.

From Slate • Feb. 11, 2026

She has approval over the content and ostensibly a sound enough mind to understand exactly the political and social contexts the film will be released into.

From Salon • Feb. 1, 2026

As the meeting progressed—and grew heated—the attorney who previously had wanted to accept Holmes’s mortgage stepped out of Chamberlin’s office and entered the room where Holmes waited, ostensibly for a drink of water.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson