1
as in pretense
a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive
tried to project some semblance of confidence even though public speaking terrified her
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in appearance
outward and often deceptive indication
a used-car dealer with only a semblance of honesty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of semblance
While others moved into the area, no semblance of a real town existed prior to the late 1800s, although a post office called Calf Creek was established in the area in 1857.
—
Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for semblance
Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for semblance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for semblance
Noun
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After his arrest, Duffy had faked amnesia and sought asylum in a psychiatric hospital, where doctors prevented the police from interrogating him, but the pretense of the amnesia was exposed at the trial by his ex-wife and a friend.—
Sarah Beckwith,
New Yorker,
26 May 2025
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May 8 Theft by false pretense: Someone contacted a Saratoga resident, claiming to be a member of the Federal Trade Commission.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
23 May 2025
Noun
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While bouncy, youthful skin is widely celebrated, there’s something special about complexions that have enjoyed an illustrious life — even if that means the appearance of fine lines, crepey texture, or pesky wrinkles.—
Jennifer Chan,
People.com,
21 May 2025
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Jace Jung had just a .364 OPS in 52 plate appearances before he was sent down.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
Noun
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For the past two years, a prototype facade has been in use on a greenhouse in the University of Freiburg's Botanical Garden, in the state of Baden-Württemberg.—
Ben Coxworth
May 23,
New Atlas,
23 May 2025
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When a simple mistake turns into a fatal error for one of his patients, Sam tries to bury the truth under a facade of perfection, knowing that a lifetime of deceit is about to be exposed.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
Somewhere, sometime, somehow, Rob Tanner’s face will break into the loveliest smile, Arsenal will no longer be second and maybe Manchester United will stop being quite so bad.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
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Her face became immortalized on advertisements, greeting cards, bottles of hot sauce and all manner of gag gifts; it was even used as advertising décor on flags decorating a Manhattan record store — all without permission or compensation.—
Alan K. Rode,
Variety,
27 May 2025
Noun
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The show’s divergence here is enormous, first by grounding Tommy in Jackson rather than as the leader of the violent excursion and secondly removing any guise about Ellie’s intentions.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
5 May 2025
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The kit is being sold under the ridiculous guise of an educational tool.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Okonkwo made a huge impression in north Wales and his move was made permanent last summer on a free transfer.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
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Over time, these impressions can harden into a narrative where your partner is cast as the villain, even if the situation was more nuanced in reality.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
Noun
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Golden Gate Park, which sits in the city's center and was a magnet for rock and theater performances of all kinds in the '60s, will host three shows by Dead & Company – the name given to what remains of the original band plus current guests – at the park's Polo Fields Aug. 1, 2 and 3.—
Marco della Cava,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
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The recordings stem from the opening stop of Springsteen and the E Street Band’s 2025 run of shows, which kicked off with three nights in a row in the English city.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
Noun
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Importantly, the age at which drinking with parents’ permission began did not change this effect.—
Bernard Pereda,
The Conversation,
20 May 2025
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But treatment, which typically involves medications to block the hormone testosterone, can have adverse effects on the brain and body.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Semblance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/semblance. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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