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
Many cultures have felt tasked with the problem of restoring some semblance of that imagined inner wholeness, in the hope that humanity will be freed of its emotional isolation.
—
Vivian Gornick, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2025
There was a semblance of high-level football on display Saturday in Las Vegas, as the 49ers’ first team (down a good number of first-team players) took the field for the first time this season for a series (or two) against the Raiders.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2025
The pure of heart among you may recoil at the notion that anyone would sow brutish chaos, hurt vulnerable people and throw any semblance of democracy under the bus for a churlish, vicious distraction.
—Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2025
But July figures from the National Retail Federation’s Global Port Tracker still indicate some semblance of a pull-forward, with major U.S. ports expecting to pull in 2.1 percent more 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) than the year prior—the most containers entering the country since May 2022.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for semblance
Vivian Gornick, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2025
There was a semblance of high-level football on display Saturday in Las Vegas, as the 49ers’ first team (down a good number of first-team players) took the field for the first time this season for a series (or two) against the Raiders.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2025
The pure of heart among you may recoil at the notion that anyone would sow brutish chaos, hurt vulnerable people and throw any semblance of democracy under the bus for a churlish, vicious distraction.
—Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2025
But July figures from the National Retail Federation’s Global Port Tracker still indicate some semblance of a pull-forward, with major U.S. ports expecting to pull in 2.1 percent more 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) than the year prior—the most containers entering the country since May 2022.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for semblance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for semblance
Noun
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But not everyone accepts that pretense.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
1 Sep. 2025
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But the Jiménezes’ work does not carry the pretense of purity.—
Ana Karina Zatarain,
New Yorker,
30 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Those born just afterwards — Steve McManaman, Darren Anderton (both 1972), Jamie Redknapp (1973) — made 37, 30 and 17 international appearances respectively, much fewer than their talent would have suggested, for various reasons.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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While more research needs to be conducted, a promising clinical study found that participants who took a specific soluble keratin supplement for three months strengthened and improved the appearance of their nails.—
Brianna Peters,
Vogue,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Yet, for some, their luxury vacations are all a facade.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
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Film Festival, shows the private turmoil behind the comedian’s affable facade.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Not knowing much about the condition, Mares-Sedillo worried that her face would be permanently altered.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
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Travis Kelce got right in Jawaan Taylor's face after his second false start of the game.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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As good as the car looks, especially in its open-top Volante guise, the real story can be found underneath its hood.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
4 Sep. 2025
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Now, palladium in a jar connected to nuclear fusion is being revived but in a different guise.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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These aren't just impressions—they're experiences that drive immediate conversion while building brand affinity.—
Kiri Masters,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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Unsurprisingly, the impression left by Karl is an overwhelmingly positive one, generous with praise and ginger with criticism.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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As fans scramble to catch the ball, footage shows, the ball appears to land one row in front of a woman while a man runs over and grabs it.—
Chandelis Duster,
NPR,
7 Sep. 2025
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Following the show's cancellation, Gosselaar landed several leading roles on series such as Pitch (2016), The Passage (2019), and Mixed-ish (2019–2021).—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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With support from the ADG Community Journalism Project, LEARNS reporter Josh Snyder covers the impact of the law on the K-12 education system across the state, and its effect on teachers, students, parents and communities.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 Sep. 2025
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Unlike other provisions in the Alien and Sedition Acts, which expired or were repealed, the Alien Enemies Act remains in effect today.—
Robert Birsel
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Semblance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/semblance. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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