Purportedly vs Ostensibly - What's the difference?
purportedly | ostensibly |
(modal) seemingly, apparently, on the surface
* 1889 , Leslie Stephen, Sidney Lee, Dictionary of national biography
*
* 2007 , Brian Herbert, Kevin J Anderson, Sandworms of Dune
As adverbs the difference between purportedly and ostensibly
is that purportedly is supposedly, putatively, or reputedly while ostensibly is seemingly, apparently, on the surface.ostensibly
English
Adverb
(-)- On 13 June the peshwa signed a new treaty, ostensibly complying with the demands of the British government...
- Up to a year or two ago it had been the custom to kill horses in the yards — ostensibly for fertilizer...
- People strive to achieve perfection — ostensibly an honorable goal — but complete perfection is dangerous. To be imperfect, but human, is far preferable.
