ostensible
stated or appearing to be true, but possibly not real
Roots
- -able / -ible: able to be, fit to be, or worthy of
- ostent: show, display, or hold out for view
Other words with the ostent root
- ostentation: showy display meant to impress
- ostentatious: showy or pretentious
Ostensible reasons are the reasons held out for view; the real reason may be behind them.
The ostensible purpose of the meeting was planning, but everyone knew it was damage control.
Ostensible is a great exam word because it teaches suspicion. It means the reason shown on the surface, not necessarily the reason underneath.