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
Although more expensive and labor-intensive, the practice replaces much of the Central Valley’s roughly 500,000 acres of rice with temporary wetlands during the winter, a semblance of how the land would naturally function without dams, and levees and civilization.
—
Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2025
The Kremlin invited Witkoff to come to Moscow, where he was presented with a semblance of an acceptable deal on August 7.
—Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 26 Aug. 2025
Moore should line up with Ricky Pearsall to give the team some semblance of playmakers.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
Many cultures have felt tasked with the problem of restoring some semblance of that imagined inner wholeness, in the hope that humanity will be freed of its emotional isolation.
—Vivian Gornick, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for semblance
Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2025
The Kremlin invited Witkoff to come to Moscow, where he was presented with a semblance of an acceptable deal on August 7.
—Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 26 Aug. 2025
Moore should line up with Ricky Pearsall to give the team some semblance of playmakers.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
Many cultures have felt tasked with the problem of restoring some semblance of that imagined inner wholeness, in the hope that humanity will be freed of its emotional isolation.
—Vivian Gornick, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for semblance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for semblance
Noun
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By showing both timelines, director Cato Kusters resists using Julian’s illness as a plot device, encouraging us to watch these women without the pretense of melodrama.—
Jourdain Searles,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Sep. 2025
-
But not everyone accepts that pretense.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Meanwhile, at New York Fashion Week, Dylan O'Brien graced the runway alongside an adorable (and furry) sidekick in a surprise appearance.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
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Secondary markets buy what the primary market won’t take, then channel it into ingredients for buyers and processors where appearance doesn’t matter, without sacrificing taste or quality.—
Ivanka Trump,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
When Simone decides to grasp Kiki’s life for herself by starting an affair with Peter, though, Michaela’s beatific facade slips.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
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Today, its Portland stone façade and arched windows still speak to that Victorian grandeur, but inside the story has shifted.—
Lauren Mowery,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Character details for the new faces are under wraps, as Deadline exclusively reported.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
13 Sep. 2025
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He’s gone viral for opposing Republican state lawmakers moving to add the Ten Commandments to public classrooms, and at another point for criticizing those lawmakers for not adopting stricter gun laws in the face of mass shootings.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
All this reintroduces the problem of arbitrary outcomes, in a different guise.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Unfortunately a recent deep fake has come in the guise of a friend.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Danni-Elle Townsend, who’s made a solid impression in PPA internationals this year, was upset in the first round by 43-yr old qualifier and eventual Bronze medalist from Japan Rika Fujiwara, a former WTA tennis pro who toured for more than 20 years before retiring from Tennis in 2020.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Rookie pitcher Ryan Bergert has made a strong impression with the Kansas City Royals since arriving from the San Diego Padres at the trade deadline.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The eligibility dates for the 2024 Emmy Awards apply to shows that aired between June 1, 2024, and May 31, 2025.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
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My weekend streaming guide is live, so be sure to check that out for some new show and movie ideas.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
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It’s not fully fleshed out, but a parallel could be made to the effects of anxiety and trauma, and the unhealthy coping mechanisms that accompany them.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Research on its gut health effects is mixed.—
Abby Norman,
Verywell Health,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Semblance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/semblance. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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