ostensive

adjective

ä-ˈsten(t)-siv How to pronounce ostensive (audio)
Definition of ostensivenext
as in apparent
appearing to be true on the basis of evidence that may or may not be confirmed the ostensive purpose of his visit was to discuss the terms of his will

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ostensive The ostensive unpopularity of violet versus purple nagged at the back of Tager’s mind for much of his life, eventually setting him on a 20-year journey across 193 museums in 42 countries. — Stephen MacKnik, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2021 Just like Glaucon, the best this new interlocutor could do is an ostensive definition - provide examples of justice - or possibly present the etymology of the word. — Theodore McDarrah, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2023 Researchers in this new study show that dogs made their decisions based on these ostensive cues as well. — Sarah Zhang, Discover Magazine, 28 Apr. 2012
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostensive
  1. apparent
  2. possible
  3. ostensible
  4. seeming
  5. obvious
  6. probable
Adjective
  • Witkoff’s apparent favorability toward negotiations was cited by regional sources speaking to an Israeli newspaper as one reason Khamenei softened up and wrote back to Trump.
    — Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2025
  • In 1932 Chicago police raided an apparent summit meeting of gangsters, and arrested Lansky and five others on vagrancy charges.
    — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of apparent
Adjective
  • Fans began speculating about a possible Thug album dropping later that night.
    — Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The six-year initiative, ending in November 2025, aims to shed light on the possible timeframes during which Mars might have been warm and wet, covered in glaciers, and maybe even suitable for life.
    — Jonathan O’Callaghan, JSTOR Daily, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of possible
Adjective
  • These include subsidies that give homegrown producers an advantage over U.S. exports; ostensible health rules that are used to keep out foreign products; and loose regulations that encourage the theft of trade secrets and other intellectual property.
    — Christopher Rugaber, Twin Cities, 31 Mar. 2025
  • If her ostensible paramour was marked by sadness and an inability to relate, Molly connects more with places and things.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of ostensible
Adjective
  • Emilia Pérez’s turnout in particular was a fall from seeming dominance, perhaps precipitated by Gascón’s controversy.
    — David Sims, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2025
  • That night of violence — with its brutality and seeming lack of a motive — has shaken the community.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2024
Definition of seeming
Adjective
  • Entertainment Fans of the show on social media seem to be missing a lot of crucial character development, and there’s an obvious explanation why.
    — Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025
  • In its wildest moments, Coogler’s film seems like a collision of Lovecraft Country with True Blood, though more obvious comparisons will likely be drawn to From Dusk Till Dawn.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of obvious
Adjective
  • In Europe, projections showed a probable increase in Ambrosia—or ragweed pollen—also linked to rising temperatures.
    — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The presence of at least six US B-2 stealth bombers in the Indian Ocean and a second aircraft carrier in the Middle East only fueled speculation in Israel that a strike was not only possible, but increasingly probable.
    — Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of probable

Browse Nearby Words

ostensibly
ostensive
ostensively
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Cite this Entry

“Ostensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostensive. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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