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
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
Independent reporting is the only way the American people can find any semblance of the truth.
—Chris Tomlinson, Houston Chronicle, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for semblance
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
Independent reporting is the only way the American people can find any semblance of the truth.
—Chris Tomlinson, Houston Chronicle, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for semblance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for semblance
Noun
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The case also ties to an earlier incident on March 24, when police say Alexander approached a woman under the pretense of asking for directions while engaging in indecent behavior.—
Sergio Candido,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Maybe the pretense was comforting to him, too.—
Cassandra Neyenesch,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Through the first eight games, the Angels have struck out in 31% of their plate appearances, which is even worse than last year’s 27% rate.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Koss, interestingly enough, made his first pitching appearance this season before getting his first at-bat.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The facades are replicas made to scale, one-third the size of the original buildings.—
Olivia Young,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
As the façade of privilege begins to crack, the film charts an unsettling psychological terrain.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
One of his favorite treats is Oreo cookies, which always bring a smile to his face.—
MARE Staff,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The Kings came into the game stressing a good start, having been outscored 5-1 in the first period of their previous three outings, and instead face planted to spot the Maple Leafs a 2-0 lead through 20 minutes.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Then, in the late nineteenth century, the mandolin experienced a second flowering, albeit in a different guise.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Under some guise of urgency—an unpaid fine or other transgression—the victim would be directed to download an app that closely mimics the institution’s real one.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
They’re paid based on the CPM, which refers to the cost per 1,000 impressions.—
Fortesa Latifi,
Rolling Stone,
5 Apr. 2026
-
As first impressions go, this was the equivalent of forgetting a date’s name, checking the phone while ordering, and deciding to talk religion and politics over dessert.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Swift's first time at the awards show in three years was a celebratory one.—
Michelle Lee,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Hungarians living near the southern frontier, where Orbán made a show of building a border fence during the refugee crisis, are travelling to Croatia to buy cheap groceries.—
Kapil Komireddi,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As much as Besler anticipates that upbeat effect for others, there will be something new in this for him, too.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
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The alert was issued Tuesday and remains in effect through Saturday, April 11, officials said.—
Mark Price
April 8,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Semblance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/semblance. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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