Ostensibly vs Supposedly - What's the difference?
ostensibly | supposedly |
(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 a matter of supposition; in the beliefs or according to the claims of some people.
* 2011 , Tom Fordyce, Rugby World Cup 2011: England 12-19 France [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/15210221.stm]
As adverbs the difference between ostensibly and supposedly
is that ostensibly is seemingly, apparently, on the surface while supposedly is as a matter of supposition; in the beliefs or according to the claims of some people.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.
Synonyms
* (seemingly) apparently, arguably, at first blush, seemingly, ostensivelysupposedly
English
Adverb
(-)- People from other planets have supposedly visited Earth in flying saucers.
- According to your testimony, you were supposedly at home watching TV when the murder occurred.
- France were supposedly a team in pieces, beaten by Tonga just a week ago and with coach Marc Lievremont publicly berating his players, but so clear-cut was their victory that much of the atmosphere had been sucked from the contest long before the end.