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
Syria’s main airport handled its first international flights on Tuesday since the fall of the government of former President Bashar al-Assad last month, as the new leaders press to reassert a semblance of normalcy in the war-weary country.
—
Aaron Boxerman, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
These small, manageable steps can at least provide some semblance of agency, Dr. Seif says, especially when everything else feels so uncertain and, well, up in the air.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 7 Jan. 2025
Maybe that’s a lot better means of grading since the student will have some semblance of where or how their logic went awry.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
Some people can stop drinking alcohol for a month and do so without any semblance of preparation or planning.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for semblance 
Aaron Boxerman, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
These small, manageable steps can at least provide some semblance of agency, Dr. Seif says, especially when everything else feels so uncertain and, well, up in the air.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 7 Jan. 2025
Maybe that’s a lot better means of grading since the student will have some semblance of where or how their logic went awry.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
Some people can stop drinking alcohol for a month and do so without any semblance of preparation or planning.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for semblance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for semblance
Noun
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Popular on Variety Craig Sweeny’s screenplay strikes a frequently arch posture to accommodate this trickster protagonist, which undermines any pretense of seriousness elsewhere.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
25 Jan. 2025
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To suggest that gimmickry somehow cancels a film’s worthiness plays into the nonsensical pretenses of awards season.—
Armond White,
National Review,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Rubio made his first media appearances Tuesday after being confirmed to become secretary of state, speaking to NBC and CBS about the nation’s future of foreign policy.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
21 Jan. 2025
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Yes, the longtime Yankees left-hander had announced months earlier his plans to retire after the 2019 season, but his final appearance did not go as ceremoniously as Derek Jeter’s or Mariano Rivera’s.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Advertisement The imposing concrete structure, known as the Lower Busch Tank, shows signs of age, with a latticework of cracks across its facade and splintered wood ringing its upper rim.—
Connor Sheets,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Jan. 2025
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An architectural landmark, the hotel’s facade has been meticulously restored to its original splendour, recovering the colours, ornamental details and original structures of the hotel as it was originally inaugurated in 1912.—
Angelina Villa-Clarke,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The other’s face continually changing, one’s own thoughts in constant flux.—
Karl Ove Knausgaard,
The New Yorker,
27 Jan. 2025
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That's because for the next week, the Today show star is going to be rocking a tattoo of co-anchor Savannah Guthrie's face on the back of his neck, after losing a wager that his favorite football team (the Washington Commanders) would be triumphant over Guthrie's (the Philadelphia Eagles).—
Dave Quinn,
People.com,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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In this guise, an already stylish vehicle more sophisticated than ever.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
21 Jan. 2025
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In its most recent guise, the company, which no longer has stores of its own, has made a return to the high street, re-emerging in 2021 through a deal with perennial brand collaborator and U.K. apparel powerhouse Next.—
Mark Faithfull,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The impression of Breillat created by her films is that of a person who is unafraid of—who perhaps even delights in—confrontation.—
Victoria Uren,
The New Yorker,
27 Jan. 2025
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He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, according to Time, but the incident left a lasting, bitter impression about banks in Jackson’s mind.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
26 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The winner goes on to the Super Bowl on February 9. Who will perform in the Super Bowl Halftime show?—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
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General comment on the season: The show schedule in Milan was lighter this season, with brands like Gucci, Fendi and Tom Ford opting to present in February with coed shows.—
Luisa Zargani,
WWD,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
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For a truly upscale look, consider installing two tracks for a layered curtain effect.—
Brittney Morgan,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Jan. 2025
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On Sunday, fighting in Gaza came to a stop as a new ceasefire deal went into effect.—
Tara Suter,
The Hill,
20 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near semblance
Cite this Entry
“Semblance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/semblance. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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