1
as in to pretend
to present a false appearance of
he dissembled happiness at the news that his old girlfriend was getting married—to someone else
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2
as in to dissimulate
to take on a false or deceptive appearance
children learn to dissemble at a surprisingly early age
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dissemble
The defense of Putin’s regime has been offered by people operating as literary critics, ever disassembling and dissembling.
—
Timothy Snyder, Foreign Affairs, 6 Sep. 2022
That same week, Altman made headlines at a Senate hearing by asking to be regulated — wowing senators who were more accustomed to tech CEOs dissembling or responding evasively to questions.
—Brian Fung, CNN, 14 Feb. 2024
That year, with 23,000 U.S. troops in Vietnam, the administration was still dissembling about the American role in the war.
—Trip Gabriel, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2024
As are Philip and Elizabeth Jennings, always knowing the precise right play: who’s dissembling, where’s the weak spot.
—Laura Kipnis, WIRED, 5 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for dissemble
Timothy Snyder, Foreign Affairs, 6 Sep. 2022
That same week, Altman made headlines at a Senate hearing by asking to be regulated — wowing senators who were more accustomed to tech CEOs dissembling or responding evasively to questions.
—Brian Fung, CNN, 14 Feb. 2024
That year, with 23,000 U.S. troops in Vietnam, the administration was still dissembling about the American role in the war.
—Trip Gabriel, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2024
As are Philip and Elizabeth Jennings, always knowing the precise right play: who’s dissembling, where’s the weak spot.
—Laura Kipnis, WIRED, 5 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for dissemble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dissemble
Verb
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Too many leaders pretend to listen, nodding along in meetings but failing to take action.—
Mark Murphy,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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Pride, drama, politics There’s no point in pretending AFCON is perfect.—
Phil Hay,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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French President Emmanuel Macron has long sought to position himself at the forefront of a major shift in Europe's security outlook, one that would see the continent invest significantly more in defense spending and assume greater autonomy from the United States.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
21 Feb. 2025
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Markle’s choice led to an onslaught of emails and DMs from all over the world inquiring whether there was an association between the two companies or mistakenly assuming — and criticizing — that decision, Kolski said.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
WWD,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The researchers simulated early Earth and how its primordial environment affected the color of the planet’s oceans.—
David Bressan,
Forbes,
22 Feb. 2025
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While some internal arms of rabbits stimulate the G-spot through vibrations, this one actually simulates the thrusts of a partner.—
Gina Vaynshteyn,
Glamour,
20 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to dissemble
Cite this Entry
“Dissemble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dissemble. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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