1. appearing or claiming to be one thing when it is really something else; seeming or stated but not necessarily true

Examples

• The ostensible reason for the meeting was to discuss the budget.
• His ostensible concern for the environment masked his real business interests.
• The ostensible leader of the group had no real authority.
• She made an ostensible effort to help, but her heart wasn’t in it.
• The ostensible purpose of the law was public safety.
• Their ostensible friendship concealed years of rivalry.