"Ostensible reason" refers to a seemingly valid or believable explanation or justification for something, but it may not be the true or actual reason behind it.
Sentences with «ostensible reason»
They often try to hide it and come up with ostensible reasons for opposing the same things, but underlying it is always their religion. (religion.blogs.cnn.com)
The episode (which the Mapplethorpe Foundation, a sponsor of the show, protested), evoked the Corcoran's cancellation of «The Perfect Moment back» in 1989 for the same ostensible reason. (artnews.com)
He critiques the authors of the security strategy document for failing to listen to the many opponents of the policy, and for neglecting to analyze critically the threat to America that is ostensible reason for the document. (religion-online.org)