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

Pop-in is frequent and often noticeable, and both friendly and enemy AI are nearly nonexistent, with only the boss enemies putting up any semblance of a fight. —PC Magazine, 4 Nov. 2025

For the most part, the crowds are expected to shrink greatly on Friday due to festivities, though a scary movie like Black Phone 2 might be able to find some semblance of an audience. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025

Rather than trying to maintain a poker face and hide any semblance of guilt, the golden retriever instead looked delighted with a big smile on its face. —Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025

Their relationship is also unfolding against the backdrop of weakening Senate norms that in the past forced some semblance of bipartisanship. —David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 24 Oct. 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