What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ostensibly
Example
He was ostensibly working on his project, but was actually browsing social media. [ostensibly: adverb]
Example
The company's decision was ostensibly made to save money, but it actually resulted in a loss of revenue. [ostensibly: adverb]
seemingly
Example
She was seemingly happy with her job, but later revealed that she was looking for a new position. [seemingly: adverb]
Example
The team was seemingly well-prepared for the game, but ended up losing. [seemingly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Seemingly is more commonly used than ostensibly in everyday language, and is more versatile in terms of usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ostensibly and seemingly?
Ostensibly is more formal and academic than seemingly, and is typically used in more formal contexts.
