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

For a franchise that will have missed the playoffs for eight straight seasons, any semblance of hope that Curry, maybe, one day, could possibly don a Hornets jersey is blind faith. —Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2024

Apparently, that still couldn’t give them any semblance of a boost against the Hawks. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2024

Sure, this is RPG 101, but most games of the last 30 years at least attempt to mask the routine with a semblance of cinematic flourish. —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2024

The senator also threatened to take away any semblance of local authority from Phoenix after the City Council banned dozens of mobile home residents facing eviction from speaking at a public meeting. —Taylor Seely, The Arizona Republic, 30 Jan. 2024

That’s impossible just now, because border politics have lost any semblance of sanity. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024

The sales add to the growing anxiety among civic leaders, business owners and real estate executives about whether downtown, long considered the city’s economic engine, can reclaim a semblance of its former verve. —Paul Schwartzman, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024

And, ultimately, finding some semblance of a dignified resting place. —Dan Barry, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024

After all votes are counted in the premature Super Tuesday behemoth in 15 states, including attention-hungry California, there will be no semblance of a nominating contest in either party with several months remaining before the Democratic and Republican national conventions. —George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2024

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

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