1
as in pretense
a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive
tried to project some semblance of confidence even though public speaking terrified her
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in appearance
outward and often deceptive indication
a used-car dealer with only a semblance of honesty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of semblance
Living under a tattered flag of St. George, the people here have reconstructed some semblance of society by relying on traditional tasks and traditional attitudes.
—
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 18 June 2025
Israel is clear that its ultimate goal is to pound Iran into total submission to restore some semblance of the country’s prerevolutionary society.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 18 June 2025
Audiences hungry for some semblance of monoculture in a fractured attention economy and fatigued by dismal current events turned to the villa for escapism.
—Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 14 July 2025
For a multitude of plausible technical reasons, the AI could readily emit a statement or piece of advice that lacks any semblance of common sense and goes entirely out of bounds.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for semblance
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 18 June 2025
Israel is clear that its ultimate goal is to pound Iran into total submission to restore some semblance of the country’s prerevolutionary society.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 18 June 2025
Audiences hungry for some semblance of monoculture in a fractured attention economy and fatigued by dismal current events turned to the villa for escapism.
—Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 14 July 2025
For a multitude of plausible technical reasons, the AI could readily emit a statement or piece of advice that lacks any semblance of common sense and goes entirely out of bounds.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for semblance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for semblance
Noun
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In the case of Brazil, which now faces a potential 50% levy, the president has abandoned the pretense of using his tariff policy to shore up trade deficits.—
Garrett Haake,
NBC news,
10 July 2025
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Over the past several years, numerous individuals have been arrested after allegedly attempting to enter the property under suspicious or false pretenses, in some cases carrying electronic equipment or claiming to have messages for the president.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
Noun
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Ahead of the fest closers, Gracie Abrams wowed fans with a surprise appearance from Robyn, Cage the Elephant paid tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, and many more artists made waves.—
Althea Legaspi,
Rolling Stone,
1 Aug. 2025
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Led by a Coastal Carolina commit in senior quarterback Osiris Jones, Leominster was able to claw its way to a title bout with the ISL program, defeating the likes of great programs like Barnstable (a 22-20 win) and Milton (a 28-19 victory) en route to its championship appearance.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The Space Mountain facade will be bathed in Fantastic Four projection lighting effects at night and Tomorrowland restaurants will sell movie themed food and a Clobberin’ Time sipper in the shape of The Thing’s fist.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
22 July 2025
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The full facade is now the same shade of pink as the rest of the building.—
Katherine Weaver,
Chicago Tribune,
20 July 2025
Noun
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When Watkins flipped open the visor of his helmet, Donnelly’s face had turned blue.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
26 July 2025
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There are more Nashville faces than ever appearing in mainstream entertainment.—
Marcus K. Dowling,
The Tennessean,
26 July 2025
Noun
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Now Schaffer is trying to sneak the same high-grade, unadulterated fun into a major motion picture, with a steely Neeson as its guise.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
1 Aug. 2025
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There are a number of ways the club is now resembling its former guise, despite a world of difference in wealth and purported ambition, and this is one of them.—
Harry De Cosemo,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Noun
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Twenty-seven years ago, Armageddon benefited from a marketing campaign that left a lasting impression.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
25 July 2025
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Older people often bring up how the U.S. helped Kosovo, and that left a strong impression.—
Kathleen Peddicord,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
Noun
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Though Colbert's show has been nominated for 33 Emmys in all, across various categories, since 2017, it's never won.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
2 Aug. 2025
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Althoff seamlessly entered a field of beloved celebrity interview shows known for unconventional charm.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Shortly after the clock strikes midnight, President Donald Trump’s tariffs go into effect.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
31 July 2025
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The advisory is in effect from July 29-31, with the central and western UP currently seeing unhealthy air quality levels.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Semblance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/semblance. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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