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
Rather than being sloppy and loosey-goosey by simply referring to AI detection, the lawmakers would be better advised to concentrate on what the AI does once the nearly automatic semblance of detection takes place anyway.
—
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Some semblance of discipline will have found its way into your system by way of the early morning wakeup calls, sumptuously clean eating, and happy exercise.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 May 2026
The tariff refunds will help businesses get back to some semblance of normality.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Boston’s best scoring chance before that came in the fourth when the Red Sox got men at first and second with one out, but other than that the club couldn’t sustain any semblance of a rally until the game was well out of reach.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for semblance
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Some semblance of discipline will have found its way into your system by way of the early morning wakeup calls, sumptuously clean eating, and happy exercise.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 May 2026
The tariff refunds will help businesses get back to some semblance of normality.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Boston’s best scoring chance before that came in the fourth when the Red Sox got men at first and second with one out, but other than that the club couldn’t sustain any semblance of a rally until the game was well out of reach.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for semblance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for semblance
Noun
-
For all the Court’s pretenses—all of its insistence on the rule of law, precedent, and good faith—many critics and supporters of the Roberts Court see the institution as an appendage of the Republican Party.—
Adam Serwer,
The Atlantic,
5 June 2026
-
Garcia-Hernandez was arrested on charges of theft of an elder adult, obtaining money by false pretenses, and attempted grand theft, along with an out-of-county warrant.—
Kassia Bonesteel,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Ronaldo is set to make a record-tying sixth World Cup appearance.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 June 2026
-
The Indians have made consecutive regional finals and made a state championship game appearance in the 2021 season, falling 4-3 to Rockwall-Heath.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
The most important stories of Jesus’ life, the Nativity and Passion, are etched into the basilica’s east and west facades.—
Joseph Wilson,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
-
The 18 towers represent different figures from scripture including the apostles, evangelists and Virgin Mary while the three facades depict the life of Jesus along with his death and final judgment.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Few faces are as iconically Philadelphian as Gritty.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
Lyrics by Ahrens and dialogue by McNally about the discrimination and brutality that Black Americans and immigrants face can seem straight out of the current moment.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
And that came in the guise of a serious illness that threatens — but then ends up solidifying — the unbreakable bond between Deborah (Jean Smart) and her protégé, Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder), something that has been built up over the course of five seasons.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
29 May 2026
-
Dwayne Johnson is a confident guy and has donned any number of ridiculous guises during his Saturday Night Live hosting gigs over the years.—
Jesse Hassenger,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Known for his enthusiastic impressions and warm camaraderie with Andy, Goober quickly became a fan favorite.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 June 2026
-
After the third day of OTAs wrapped up, safety Talanoa Hufanga gave his initial impressions of Waddle.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
On a year-to-date basis, the rupee has fallen by more than 6%, LSEG data shows.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
5 June 2026
-
The show is still using some of those songs, giving the score’s relationship to the script a half-in, half-out near-jukebox feeling.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
5 June 2026
Noun
-
The measure, placed on the ballot by the county Board of Supervisors, asks voters to support the sales tax increase to help stave off the effects of federal Medi-Cal cuts affecting county healthcare facilities.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
10 June 2026
-
In one important way the dog in art does not reflect reality, in the real world, or in the imagination, the reality effect.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Semblance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/semblance. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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