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
Elton blew apart any semblance of any musicalboundaries.
—
Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
That’s the case with the Koia’s Elite Coffee drink, which is very much a pea protein shake, with little semblance to an iced coffee.
—Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Oct. 2025
The semblance of a tension began after the Los Angeles Chargers game when Tagovailoa seemingly threw his teammates under the bus.
—Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
Look no further than Reeves’s performance as the Dream, a cult leader who oversees the only semblance of civilization in this post-apocalyptic world.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for semblance
Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
That’s the case with the Koia’s Elite Coffee drink, which is very much a pea protein shake, with little semblance to an iced coffee.
—Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Oct. 2025
The semblance of a tension began after the Los Angeles Chargers game when Tagovailoa seemingly threw his teammates under the bus.
—Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
Look no further than Reeves’s performance as the Dream, a cult leader who oversees the only semblance of civilization in this post-apocalyptic world.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for semblance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for semblance
Noun
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His memoir told of workhouse guards beating prisoners on the least pretense, and of one guard who regularly shoved prisoners down flights of stairs.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime said in a May report that women from more than 20 African countries had been recruited under false pretences to make drones for Russia’s war.—
Reuters 16 hr ago,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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First-team appearances came in the National League Cup ties against the under-21 side of Leeds United from the Premier League and second-division Middlesbrough, and dual-registration rules allowed Gjoshe to link up with Bottesford last month.—
Philip Buckingham,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
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The Roberts court, unusually obsessed with the Supreme Court’s public reputation and appearance of political interference, might consider such a ruling a way to balance limiting executive power without tanking the broader economy.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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While no major changes to the building's facade are anticipated, the project calls for a one-story addition to its north annex.—
Hannah Kirby,
jsonline.com,
6 Nov. 2025
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The money, the success — all a facade.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
But special moments in special seasons bloom when least expected, and Cooper smiled in the face of the impossible.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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But in today’s world of digital creators, those seeking fame face competition in a way Khan’s generation never could have imagined.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Several actors donned the iconic guise of Ghostface in the Scream franchise, but one of the most intriguing is Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich) in the original film.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
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In this guise, Saverino is breathless with excitement.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But don’t let the tragic tale color your impression of the Park; during the holidays its annual Christmas at the Falls event transforms the area into one of the merriest and brightest spots around.—
Jennifer Stewart Kornegay,
Southern Living,
4 Nov. 2025
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Visually, that might not leave much of an impression, but the proximity of a supermoon has an effect on Earth, causing higher tides than normal.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In a recent Instagram post, Kardashian laughed off negative reviews of the show, which also stars Sarah Paulson, Naomi Watts and Glenn Close, has been receiving from fans.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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And the team behind the show, speaking to The Hollywood Reporter at Monday’s New York premiere, teased that the audience will not be able to predict what happens.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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There’s no overemphasizing how much color is packed into each frame, nor the production team’s palpable commitment to such tactile effects work.—
Kambole Campbell,
IndieWire,
4 Nov. 2025
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Mundane loot like monster teeth and eyeballs all have different effects when paired with a basic attack, making for a mind-boggling number of combinations for how to dole out punishment.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Semblance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/semblance. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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