adjective

ostensible

ah-STEN-suh-bul/ɑːˈstensəbl/

Appearing or stated to be true, but possibly not.

Her ostensible sleep seems less convincing with one eye slightly open.

An ostensibly sleeping woman: her resting posture and nearly closed eyes suggest sleep, but one subtly open eye appears directed toward a departing visitor, inviting doubt without conclusively revealing pretense.

Etymology

osLatinin front of

+tensLatinto stretch

+ibleLatincapable of being

To “stretch in front of” someone was to display or show something. From “capable of being shown,” ostensible came to mean put forward as real or true, without guaranteeing that it is.

In context

misesmedia17:23

they're still owners but the ostensible owners don't have any power they're not really in charge

Theory and History | David Gordon

More examples

The ostensible purpose of the meeting is to discuss staffing.
His ostensible reason for leaving early is a dentist appointment.
Despite her ostensible confidence, she keeps asking for reassurance.

Forms

ostensible

ostensibly adverb — Apparently or reportedly, but not necessarily actually.

Similar words

apparent: Emphasizes outward appearances rather than a stated claim.
supposed: Emphasizes what people believe or assume, often with doubt.
professed: Emphasizes what someone openly declares, whether sincere or not.