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
Relevance
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
Yet Florida showed no semblance of complacency.
—
Noah White, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
There was a concerted effort to demonize anyone who refused to panic and continue with their daily lives and maintain a semblance of normalcy.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Independent reporting is the only way the American people can find any semblance of the truth.
—Chris Tomlinson, Houston Chronicle, 17 Mar. 2026
It’s fallen on others to squint at the situation, looking for some semblance of a plan.
—Ian Crouch, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for semblance
Noah White, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
There was a concerted effort to demonize anyone who refused to panic and continue with their daily lives and maintain a semblance of normalcy.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Independent reporting is the only way the American people can find any semblance of the truth.
—Chris Tomlinson, Houston Chronicle, 17 Mar. 2026
It’s fallen on others to squint at the situation, looking for some semblance of a plan.
—Ian Crouch, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for semblance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for semblance
Noun
-
Maybe the pretense was comforting to him, too.—
Cassandra Neyenesch,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
-
As architectural fashion has shifted, the software is no longer associated with complex geometry, and the pretense that digital tools might liberate architects—spurring them to new heights of creativity—has faded.—
Julian Rose,
Artforum,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
So Easter is on April 5, the first Sunday after the full moon's appearance.—
Carlie Procell,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Raya, who only had 12 relief appearances in his career and never a save opportunity, struck out the side in the ninth for the Saints.—
Pioneer Press,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Set the scene At a cobblestoned intersection in the Tribeca North Historic District, an industrialist red brick facade gives way to eight floors of ethereal Art Deco interior design straight out of the South of France.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
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Future plans include repurposing the building’s former drive-thru lane into an outdoor cafe and adding new jellyfish murals to its front facade.—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Your emergence tracks with the emergence of a whole new group of young Black entertainers—a moment that changed the face of the entertainment world, even to today.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
-
When Doncic reached out to shove Williams' arm, Williams responded with a backhand swipe across Doncic's face.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The Department of the Treasury last Thursday designated Hayat Yolu as a key player in a covert global network that uses the guise of humanitarian aid to raise money overseas.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
20 Mar. 2026
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But sometimes the squashing of speech can appear in other guises.—
Andrea Valdez,
The Atlantic,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Moody and sleek, the Ritz-Carlton, Nomad is also designed to make an impression—and not just because of its 50-story sway.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
-
But visually the scorebug will take some getting used to, and its first impression on Thursday was not good.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Swift was photographed solo on the red carpet and with a group of iHeartRadio execs before the show at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
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Fan Fest continues through the weekend, with a drone show and music festival planned for Friday.—
Kenny Choi,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Nature has an orienting effect.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
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The law to making firing squad the primary means of execution will go into effect on July 1.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Semblance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/semblance. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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