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Vocabulary Builder — Essay & Answer Writing

Ostensibly

adverb / os-TEN-sib-lee / Medium
Meaning

Apparently or seemingly, according to what is stated or visible on the surface, but not necessarily reflecting the true underlying reason

Origin / Etymology

Latin ostensibilis, from ostendere meaning 'to show or display'; the notion of something put on show for appearances

Synonyms
Apparently Seemingly On the face of it Purportedly Superficially
Antonyms
Genuinely Actually Truly In reality
Example Sentence
"The military aid was ostensibly provided for counter-terrorism purposes, but strategic analysts argued it was primarily aimed at securing basing rights in the region."
🎯 UPSC Usage

Use in GS-2 (IR, governance) and GS-3 (security) answers to signal a gap between stated and actual intent, a hallmark of sophisticated policy analysis. Phrases like 'ostensibly a development corridor but functionally a debt-trap' elevate IR answers. Also useful in GS-4 when discussing administrative pretexts used to justify ethical violations.

Relevant Subjects
International Relations
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