ostensibly.

according to outward appearance or the stated purpose, which may not be the real situation

Use it for

Words that belong together

• ostensibly neutral
• ostensibly intended
• ostensibly independent

On the page

The reform was ostensibly intended to simplify access.

An ostensibly neutral rule produced uneven effects.

The two accounts were ostensibly independent, but both drew on the same source.

Usage notes

Primary curation section: Academic. Often signals doubt or a gap between appearance and reality, but it does not itself prove deception or falsity. Not compared. Related adjective: ostensible.