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

• act
• airs
• charade
• disguise
• facade
• façade
• front
• guise
• masquerade
• playacting
• pose
• pretense
• pretence
• put-on
• show

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

What isn’t: His ballclub could benefit from any semblance of offensive invigoration. —Chandler Rome, New York Times, 7 May 2025

In Peter Ames Carlin’s biography of Wilson, Catch a Wave, Love recalled sweeping Wilson’s house for drugs and trying to imbue his chaotic life with some semblance of order. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 28 Apr. 2025

Their life together represents a semblance of normalcy and unity, an example of how rebuilding and finding peace is possible, even after unimaginable loss. —Mark Weinstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025

It’s always been just us my entire life; no real semblance of blood family has been in the picture. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 Apr. 2025

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