ostensibly

//ɒˈstɛnsɪbli//
C1Frequency Level 11Formal
Visual representation of ostensibly

Adverb

ostensiblyCanonical form
1

Apparently or purportedly, but perhaps not actually; used to convey that something appears to be true on the surface but may conceal a different reality.

He ostensibly went to the library, but actually met his friends at the park.

2

As stated or appearing to be the case, without necessarily being so in reality.

He ostensibly went to the library, but actually met his friends at the park.