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
Mike Wolfe found a semblance of peace days after he was involved in a car collision.
—
Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Josh McDaniels orchestrated an old-school Kyle Shanahan game plan to re-establish the run after losing all semblance of run-pass balance in the opener.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 16 Sep. 2025
Be aware that though the AI is exhibiting anger, doing so by using wording and tone that display a semblance of being angry, this is not a sign of the AI being sentient or having consciousness.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
But reliever Juan Mejia retired the next three hitters — a Laureano strikeout sandwiched between flyouts from Sheets and Merrill — to squash the first semblance of a rally.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for semblance
Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Josh McDaniels orchestrated an old-school Kyle Shanahan game plan to re-establish the run after losing all semblance of run-pass balance in the opener.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 16 Sep. 2025
Be aware that though the AI is exhibiting anger, doing so by using wording and tone that display a semblance of being angry, this is not a sign of the AI being sentient or having consciousness.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
But reliever Juan Mejia retired the next three hitters — a Laureano strikeout sandwiched between flyouts from Sheets and Merrill — to squash the first semblance of a rally.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for semblance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for semblance
Noun
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Under the pretense of a back-to-school rules review, the sophomore through senior classes at Ruskin were treated to a stirring drumline performance before a shocked Sixta took the the stage.—
Ilana Arougheti
Updated October 7,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
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In the end, no one was pretending, unless pretense paid the bills.—
Lavender Au,
The Dial,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Their last appearance was on October 3, playing at San Diego State, ultimately ending in a 45-24 defeat.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Oct. 2025
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Meanwhile, the appearance of the nuclear-capable Hwasong-20 was the first for North Korea’s newest ICBM.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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One photo captures Nelson walking in front of Union Terminal's recognizable Art Deco facade.—
Bebe Hodges,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
9 Oct. 2025
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Yet beneath that minimalist façade lies a surprisingly complex design challenge that has architects and homeowners rethinking how to integrate wellness spaces into contemporary living.—
Jesse Dorris,
Architectural Digest,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In the face of that, Keaton’s off- and sometimes on-duty style represented limitless possibilities, and a previously incomprehensible kind of freedom.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
12 Oct. 2025
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The stars themselves are bestowed by anonymous inspectors who briefly appear on camera, but whose names, faces, and even voices are completely obscured.—
Laurie Woolever,
Rolling Stone,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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All under Guadagnino’s scrupulous direction and cinematographer Malik Sayeed’s (Belly) visualization, the performative guise of Ivy League school decorum delivers as the perfect dichotomy to the serious nature of what these characters put each other through.—
Malik Peay,
Essence,
9 Oct. 2025
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But Robbie, ever the scrappy guy, already sees through the naïve guise and holds the FBI Task Force agent at gun point.—
Grace Byron,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The study agreed that the culprit that made the mark was likely dropped into the wet cement, leaving the near perfect body impression.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
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Growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, witnessing civil rights events such as the March on Washington, left an impression on her.—
Nushrat Rahman,
Freep.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Cross Prime Video, leader of all dad-TV shows, released a trailer for Cross season two.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
11 Oct. 2025
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The finale also left both pairs of the show's central lovers in the midst of cliffhangers.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The region has seen the deployment of the National Guard and Marines, the cancellation of public events and a visible chilling effect on the use of local businesses and services.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Oct. 2025
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When does the Ohio THC ban go into effect?—
Katie Wiseman,
IndyStar,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Semblance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/semblance. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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