American Dictionary

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Definition ostensibly in American English

ostensibly adverb

adverb
/ɑˈstensəbli/
1

used for saying that although someone pretends to have one reason for something, there is in fact another reason

Example

He was ostensibly on vacation, actually he was on a diplomatic mission.

Example

Melissa went to her room, ostensibly to do her homework.

Synonyms and related words
Definition ostensibly in American English