semblance

noun

sem·​blance ˈsem-blən(t)s 

1

a

: outward and often specious appearance or show : form

… wrapped in a semblance of composure …

—Harry Hervey

b

: modicum

… has been struggling to get some semblance of justice for his people …

—Bayard Rustin

2

: aspect, countenance

3

a

: a phantasmal form : apparition

b

: image, likeness

4

: actual or apparent resemblance

her story bears some semblance to the truth

Synonyms of semblance

• pretense
• facade
• guise
• show
• pose
• act

Examples of semblance in a Sentence

tried to project some semblance of confidence even though public speaking terrified her

a used-car dealer with only a semblance of honesty

Recent Examples on the Web

At least some semblance of production from the outfield, largely entwined with the bottom of the order, that had been so meager last year. —Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026

Airports around the country also reportedly began returning to some semblance of normalcy. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026

Many of them, as is the case with many Arab communities, are rooted in communal living, often piecemealing some semblance of a family with other diaspora communities. —Danny Hajjar, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026

The administration has not produced any semblance of a plan that would free the Iranians from oppression and install a democratic government. —Dr. Michael Good, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English semblance, semblaunce "outward appearance, mere appearance, show, facial expression, likeness," borrowed from Anglo-French, "likeness, form, demeanor, resemblance," from sembler "to resemble, seem, appear" (going back to Latin simulāre, similāre "to pretend, assume the appearance of by one's conduct, imitate") + -ance, -aunce -ance — more at simulate

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for semblance

• resemblance

Kids Definition

semblance

noun

sem·​blance ˈsem-blən(t)s 

1

: outward and often misleading appearance or show

2

: one that resembles another : likeness, image