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 of semblance

• pretense
• facade
• guise
• show
• pose
• act

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

The Aztecs scrimmaged for perhaps four dozen plays, with an officiating crew present to create some semblance of game-like conditions. — Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026

Others did well, of course, only for profits to collapse when some semblance of normalcy returned. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

The teams can theoretically save a little money by signing someone to a two-year deal — instead of paying them an exorbitant amount after their first season of college stardom — and, hopefully, create some semblance of roster continuity. — Brendan Marks, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Fare evasion on the city’s bus routes has been a persistent problem since the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, when the MTA let passengers skip the fare and board buses from the rear door in an effort to maintain some semblance of social distancing. — Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026

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

Rhymes for semblance

• resemblance

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