"Ostensible" Example Sentences
1. His ostensible reason for visiting was to discuss business, but I think he had an ulterior motive.
2. The ostensible purpose of the law was to increase safety, though many saw it as a way to limit civil liberties.
3. The ostensible goal of the company was to help people, but in reality, they only cared about profits.
4. The president gave an ostensible excuse for the troop deployment, but few were convinced.
5. The band purported to play rock music, but their ostensible style of playing was rather pop.
6. His ostensible friendliness concealed a cruel and calculating personality.
7. Her ostensible emotions seemed sincere but later proved to be false.
8. The ostensible justification for the new policy lacked merit.
9. The ostensible aim of the meeting was to discuss a new marketing campaign.
10. Their ostensible interest in art history belied a criminal purpose.
11. The ostensible cause of the disagreement was a difference in priorities, though personal animosity was likely a factor as well.
12. His ostensible generosity masked a selfish desire to maintain public approval.
13. The ostensible focus of the course was classical literature, but in reality, it covered a wide range of writings.
14. Her ostensible love for her husband hid deeper feelings of resentment and dislike.
15. The ostensible basis for their argument was a difference of opinion, though jealousy played an equal if not greater role.
16. The ostensible purpose of the new technology was to make life more convenient, though privacy concerns were worrisome.
17. The senator's ostensible reason for voting against the bill was fiscal responsibility, though many suspected career advancement played a role as well.
18. His ostensible expertise hid a fundamental lack of knowledge about the subject.
19. The company's ostensible concern for the environment concealed the true motivation of profit maximization.
20. The ostensible cause of the accident was negligence, though a conspiracy theory soon emerged.
21. The ostensible leader of the group lacked genuine authority.
22. Her ostensible enthusiasm for the project masked a lack of interest.
23. The ostensible aim of the advertisement was to inform customers, but the primary purpose was to generate sales.
24. The ostensible nature of the festival was celebratory, though underlying tensions soon became evident.
25. The ostensible explanation for the missing funds proved unsatisfactory.
26. The ostensible reason for the staffing change was improved efficiency, though layoffs were the real motivation.
27. The ostensible goal of happiness hid a darker reality of emptiness and despair.
28. Her ostensible compliance concealed active resistance.
29. The ostensible explanation for the accounting error concealed potential fraud.
30. The ostensible cooperation between the companies hid a fiercely competitive spirit.
31. His ostensible helpfulness cloaked a self-interested motive.
32. The ostensible peace agreement masked an atmosphere of continued hostility and mistrust.
33. The ostensible intention to consult all stakeholders belied an authoritarian streak.
34. Their ostensible commitment to openness hid a secretive culture.
35. The ostensible plaintiff in the lawsuit was a front for much larger interests.
36. The ostensible merits of the plan concealed significant drawbacks.
37. The ostensible leader of the movement lacked genuine vision and inspiration.
38. The ostensible author of the essay was not its true writer.
39. The ostensible aim of reform masked the continuation of unjust policies.
40. Her ostensible regret lacked sincerity.
41. The ostensible harmlessness of the chemical concealed toxic effects.
42. The ostensible benefits of the program masked minimal results.
43. The ostensible simplicity of the task hid its true complexity.
44. The ostensible explanation for the phenomenon lacked scientific rigor.
45. The ostensible ally soon became an adversary.
46. His ostensible calmness during the crisis masked internal panic.
47. The ostensible agreement lacked enforceable provisions.
48. The ostensible honor of the award concealed a system riddled with favoritism.
49. The ostensible normalcy of the town masked strange events occurring just beneath the surface.
50. His ostensible qualifications hid a lack of relevant experience.
51. The ostensible cause of the problem obscured its root systemic issues.
52. The ostensible leader lacked the skills needed to guide the group effectively.
53. The ostensible diversity of the program concealed an adherence to conservative ideological orthodoxy.
54. The ostensible decrease in prices masked an overall decline in value.
55. The ostensible improvement in service concealed systemwide problems.
56. Her ostensible openness concealed a need for personal privacy.
57. The ostensible simplicity of the product concealed its tendency to malfunction.
58. The ostensible democracy hid an authoritarian political culture.
59. The ostensible harmlessness of the food additive concealed significant health risks.
60. The ostensible friendliness of the salesperson masked an aggressive selling style.
Common Phases
1.
Ostensible purpose
The real or official purpose stated publicly, as opposed to a concealed actual purpose.
Example: The
ostensible purpose of the event was to raise money for charity, though I suspect it was really an opportunity for publicity.
2.
Ostensible reason/cause/motive/explanation
A publicly stated reason that may conceal the real reason.
Example: The
ostensible reason for canceling the project was lack of funding, but most people believed it was due to internal disagreements.
3.
Ostensible friend/ally/partner
Someone who appears friendly or supportive but lacks genuine goodwill.
Example: He seemed like an
ostensible friend at first, but he betrayed me at the first opportunity.
4.
Ostensible intention
A publicly stated intention that may differ from one's private aims.
Example: The company's
ostensible intention to be environmentally friendly was undermined by their actual practices.
5.
Ostensible nature/character
An appearance that differs from an underlying reality.
Example: Beneath the
ostensible calmness of the town lay sinister secrets.
6.
Ostensible evidence/proof
Seemingly convincing evidence that proves inadequate upon closer examination.
Example: The
ostensible evidence for the theory fell apart under scientific scrutiny.
7.
Ostensible fact
Something that appears factual but lacks confirmation or contains inaccuracies.
Example: The news report presented several
ostensible facts that later proved to be false.
8.
Ostensible sincerity/emotion
An emotion or sentiment that seems genuine but lacks authenticity.
Example: Her
ostensible sorrow during the funeral lacked real depth of feeling.