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 reliever Juan Mejia retired the next three hitters — a Laureano strikeout sandwiched between flyouts from Sheets and Merrill — to squash the first semblance of a rally. —Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025

Subsequently, Geroux used artificial intelligence to replace Yancey’s voice on the demo with a semblance of Ross’ sound. —Tom Roland, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025

The numbering of the checklist items is only for convenience of reference and does not denote any semblance of priority. —Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025

And yet, Fields’ performance provides some semblance of hope. —Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 8 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