ostensible
Professed but doubtful
Ostensible describes something that appears to be true or is publicly claimed, but may conceal a different reality.
The ostensible reason for a meeting might mask the true agenda.
An ostensible ally might secretly work against you.
The word signals a gap between appearance and actuality: His ostensible purpose was research, but he was really there to spy.
Appearing to be
- evidentClearly perceived or understood
- manifestClearly apparent or displayed
- obviousEasily perceived, unmistakable
- clearWithout obstruction or fog
visible · noticeable · perceptible · discernible · outward · surface · superficial · external
Causing false beliefs
- speciousSuperficially plausible but flawed
- disingenuousFeigning ignorance or innocence
- duplicitousDeliberately deceptive in nature
- deceitfulInclined to mislead others
fraudulent · fallacious · spurious · bogus · phony · counterfeit · false · feigned
Deceptive outward appearance
- guiseExternal manner shown
- shamFraudulent imitation
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
- charadeAbsurd or obvious pretense
disguise · veneer · front · show · act · posturing · simulation · dissimulation
Fabricated motive concealing truth
- excuseOffered reason for wrongdoing
- rationaleStated basis for action
- explanationStatement making something clear
- alibiDefense of location
seeming
Appearing to be
- evidentClearly perceived or understood
- manifestClearly apparent or displayed
- obviousEasily perceived, unmistakable
clear · visible · noticeable · perceptible · discernible · outward · surface · superficial · external · prima facie
misleading
Causing false beliefs
- speciousSuperficially plausible but flawed
- disingenuousFeigning ignorance or innocence
- duplicitousDeliberately deceptive in nature
deceitful · fraudulent · fallacious · spurious · bogus · phony · counterfeit · false · feigned · fabricated
facade
Deceptive outward appearance
- guiseExternal manner shown
- shamFraudulent imitation
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
charade · disguise · veneer · front · show · act · posturing · simulation · dissimulation · imposture
pretext
Fabricated motive concealing truth
- excuseOffered reason for wrongdoing
- rationaleStated basis for action
- explanationStatement making something clear
- chancechance, luck, lottery, dice, randomness
- approximationsabout, approximately, around, roughly, almost
- nominalnominal, titular, figurehead, in name only, token
- Surface-Levelsurface-level, superficial, shallow, skin-deep, veneer