seemingly
UK: ˈsiːmɪŋli | US: ˈsiːmɪŋli
adv. in a way that appears to be true but may not be
adv. superficially or outwardly
The word "seemingly" derives from the verb "seem," which originates from Old Norse sœma ("to conform, suit") and Proto-Germanic sōmijaną ("to reconcile"). The suffix "-ing" forms the present participle, while "-ly" converts it into an adverb. Over time, "seemingly" evolved to describe actions or states that appear a certain way without certainty, reflecting its root in perception rather than fact.
The plan was seemingly perfect, but it failed under pressure.
She smiled seemingly without a care, though she was deeply troubled.
The document was seemingly authentic, but closer inspection revealed forgery.
He was seemingly unaware of the chaos around him.
The task is seemingly simple, yet it requires precision.