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1
appearing or stated to be true or real, but potentially deceptive or misleading
- The ostensible purpose of the meeting was to discuss new business strategies, but much of the time was spent gossiping.
- Her ostensible reason for missing work was sickness, but coworkers suspected she was really hungover.
- Journalists investigated whether the donations' ostensible purpose aligned with the donors' actual business interests.
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2
stated or appearing to be true, but possibly not so
- The ostensible reason for his visit was to apologize.
- She gave an ostensible smile, though she felt uneasy.
- His ostensible calmness made it hard to tell if he was worried.
- The ostensible cause of the problem turned out to be something else entirely.
- The company’s ostensible commitment to environmental protection raised some doubts.
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