outwardly

[ out-werd-lee ]

adverb

1. as regards appearance or outward manifestation:

   outwardly charming; outwardly considerate.

2. on the outside or outer surface; externally:

   Outwardly, the fruit was rough to the touch.

3. toward the outside:

   The pier stretched outwardly from the shore.

outwardly

/ ˈaʊtwədlɪ /

adverb

1. in outward appearance
2. with reference to the outside or outer surface; externally

Word History and Origins

Origin of outwardly¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; outward, -ly

Example Sentences

Right now it’s not just the Taliban’s history that’s in direct contradiction to the moderation they are outwardly projecting, experts say.

From Vox

A striking number of the outwardly calm men I met told me that they lived in a constant state of terror.

From Time

I think Stevie Wonder also is someone where, he’s not necessarily outwardly vocally ambassadorial.

From Ozy

Buterin, who has been outwardly critical of Wright’s claims, undertook to live-tweet the conference event, posting a series of 62 tweets throughout the panel discussion—the majority of which took aim at Wright.

From The Daily Beast

Dream team members helped to make that happen by actively and outwardly supporting her opponents in the November and January elections.

From TruthBeTold.news

“It seems that the different standard is (based on) the length of the beard and outwardly display of piety,” Hamdani said.

From The Daily Beast

And yet, you can appear outwardly perfect, seeming to have it all together.

From The Daily Beast

People are starting to recognize that depression must relate to biology, because who would give up such an outwardly gifted life?

From The Daily Beast

How could such an outwardly happy and successful man be struggling so badly?

From The Daily Beast

He was viewed by his colleagues as a “practical guy” who remained, at least outwardly, calm when problems arose.

From The Daily Beast

In his heart she would always remain his dream and his ideal—but outwardly he would no longer need her.

From Project Gutenberg

He kept to the high ground, not venturing to the plains, for the population had outwardly passed to the English peace again.

From Project Gutenberg

Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but inwardly ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

From Project Gutenberg

In this she differed from others of her sect, who strove to convey the idea of humility both outwardly and inwardly.

From Project Gutenberg

The strange lucidity of the somnambulist still hung over her brain and mind, though outwardly she appeared troubled and confused.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• seemingly
• superficially