Ostensible vs. Plausible

Attribute	Ostensible	Plausible
Definition	Seemingly true or real, but not necessarily so	Seemingly reasonable or likely to be true
Appearance	May appear to be true or real on the surface	May appear to be reasonable or likely based on available information
Credibility	Often lacks credibility upon closer examination	May have credibility based on available evidence or logic
Deception	Can be used to deceive or mislead others	Not necessarily used for deception, can be genuinely plausible

Definition of Ostensible

Ostensible is an adjective that means something that appears to be true or real, but may not actually be so. It is often used to describe something that is outwardly evident or apparent, but may not necessarily reflect the true nature of the situation. For example, a person's ostensible reason for missing work may be illness, but the real reason could be something else entirely.

Definition of Plausible

Plausible, on the other hand, is an adjective that means something that is believable or credible. It is used to describe something that is reasonable or likely to be true. For example, a plausible explanation for a crime might be that the suspect had a motive and opportunity to commit the act.

Attributes of Ostensible

• Ostensible often refers to something that is superficially true or apparent.
• It can be used to describe something that is misleading or deceptive.
• Ostensible reasons or explanations may not always be the true or complete story.
• It is often used in a negative context to imply that something is not as it seems.
• Ostensible can be used to question the validity or truthfulness of a statement or claim.

Attributes of Plausible

• Plausible is often used to describe something that is believable or credible.
• It implies that something is reasonable or likely to be true based on the available evidence.
• Plausible explanations are often used to make sense of complex situations or events.
• It is generally used in a positive context to suggest that something is logical or coherent.
• Plausible can be used to support an argument or hypothesis by providing a reasonable explanation.

Comparison of Ostensible and Plausible

While both ostensible and plausible are adjectives used to describe the appearance or likelihood of truth, they differ in their connotations and implications. Ostensible carries a sense of doubt or skepticism, suggesting that something may not be as it seems. Plausible, on the other hand, implies that something is likely to be true based on the available evidence.

When considering the attributes of ostensible and plausible, it is important to recognize that ostensible is often used to question the validity or truthfulness of a statement or claim. It suggests that there may be more to the situation than meets the eye. Plausible, on the other hand, is used to support an argument or hypothesis by providing a reasonable explanation that is likely to be true.

While ostensible reasons or explanations may not always be the true or complete story, plausible explanations are generally accepted as credible and believable. This distinction highlights the difference between something that appears to be true on the surface (ostensible) and something that is likely to be true based on the available evidence (plausible).

In conclusion, ostensible and plausible are two adjectives that are often used to describe the appearance or likelihood of truth. While ostensible suggests doubt or skepticism, plausible implies credibility and believability. Understanding the attributes of ostensible and plausible can help us discern between what may be misleading or deceptive and what is likely to be true based on the available evidence.