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

• pretense
• facade
• guise
• show
• pretence
• 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

But through four games, the Ravens haven’t stopped the run or applied any semblance of pressure on a quarterback. —Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025

The mission concluded that Venezuela’s courts and prosecutors have abandoned any semblance of independence, functioning instead as instruments of political persecution. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2025

Much like the Chiefs, the Giants have struggled getting any semblance of a run game going in the first two weeks of the season. —Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2025

Mike Wolfe found a semblance of peace days after he was involved in a car collision. —Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2025

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