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

Generally, Parma went direct last season when faced with any semblance of pressure. — Aston Villa, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Many of those closest to any semblance of comprehension may quit to go live in underground bunkers. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Smoothly edited by Kossakovsky-regular Ainara Vera, Holy Wood Dust gains a stronger semblance of coherence by the generous use of classical music alongside Adrian Berenguer’s bespoke original soundtrack. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026

Entering the third quarter FAMU only scored six points and was looking for any semblance of hope. — Miami Herald, 7 Sep. 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