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

Marshall threw him into space, and Nagy did the rest, slicing through the heart of Arizona State’s defense and racing into the end zone to cut the deficit to 24-14 and give KU a semblance of late life. — Taylor Eldridge, Kansas City Star, 19 Sep. 2026

Led by Alexei Nechayev, the head of a cosmetics firm, the party was widely seen as a product of the Kremlin, intended to cater to the liberal audience and to present a semblance of political competition. — ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026

Despite growing up in the limelight, Steve and Hannah Fanning managed to maintain a semblance of normalcy for their two kids. — Emma Banks, InStyle, 14 Sep. 2026

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