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

Many of them, as is the case with many Arab communities, are rooted in communal living, often piecemealing some semblance of a family with other diaspora communities. —Danny Hajjar, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026

The administration has not produced any semblance of a plan that would free the Iranians from oppression and install a democratic government. —Dr. Michael Good, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026

Yet Florida showed no semblance of complacency. —Noah White, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026

There was a concerted effort to demonize anyone who refused to panic and continue with their daily lives and maintain a semblance of normalcy. —Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 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