ostensible
When something is ostensible it appears to be the case but might not be. Your ostensible reason for visiting every bakery in town is that you're looking for a part-time job — but I think you really just want to eat cupcakes.
Just because something is ostensible doesn't necessarily mean that it's not as it appears to be, only that there's a possibility of another reason. Your ostensible reason for calling your crush was to ask about homework; the real reason was that you were hoping they would ask you out. Ostensible derives from the Latin verb ostendere, meaning "to show or display."
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appearing as such but not necessarily so“the ostensible truth of their theories”superficialconcerned with or comprehending only what is apparent or obvious; not deep or penetrating emotionally or intellectually
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represented or appearing as such; pretended
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Vocabulary lists containing ostensible
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Take our word for it, the English language has many ways to describe things that might, or might not, be. For more synonym lists, explore our Say What You Mean resources.