SEMBLANCE Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

semblance

noun

ˈsem-blən(t)s

Definition of semblance

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

as in appearance

outward and often deceptive indication a used-car dealer with only a semblance of honesty

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of semblance Despite growing up in the limelight, Steve and Hannah Fanning managed to maintain a semblance of normalcy for their two kids. — Emma Banks, InStyle, 14 Sep. 2026 Many of those closest to any semblance of comprehension may quit to go live in underground bunkers. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2026 Smoothly edited by Kossakovsky-regular Ainara Vera, Holy Wood Dust gains a stronger semblance of coherence by the generous use of classical music alongside Adrian Berenguer’s bespoke original soundtrack. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026 Entering the third quarter FAMU only scored six points and was looking for any semblance of hope. — Miami Herald, 7 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for semblance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for semblance

Noun

The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful—don't expect any pretense here, just genuine (and enjoyable) engagement.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
Tom’s frugality also lured Nancy into the business on the pretense of spending more time together.

— Tim Graham, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of pretense

Noun

The story centers on a transfer student’s enigmatic bond with a teacher, as a string of unexplained, supernatural incidents cracks the school’s polished facade.

— Ophélie Surcouf, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
As Ray goes down the rabbit hole, the shiny facade of Metropia and Megamax (which is, notably and obviously evil from the start) begin to crumble.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of facade

Noun

This one was carved from a block of limestone and features a slender face with a long nose and a tiny, smiling mouth.

— Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
As always, Howerton is the cast MVP, with his elastic, expressive face selling all of probable-serial killer Dennis’s most hyperbolic reactions.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of face

Noun

In the novel, likewise, the narrator assumes an almost Homeric guise, comparing current harbor gossip to chatter from the Phoenician, Cretan, Greek, and Roman eras.

— Alex Ross, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
But unlike Backrooms, SCP Foundation has always been more centralized to this one website, and every subsequent SCP Foundation work has always fallen under the guise of the Creative Commons license, something the Backrooms creepypasta never did.

— Brian Welk, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of guise

Noun

More than half of people using AI at work worried that using it on important tasks would create exactly that impression.

— Christoph Trattner, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026
Then again, the album’s 15-minute runtime presupposes a complete lasting impression isn’t the point.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of impression

Noun

At the Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, curator John Fields has built a renowned space for visual art, attracting a kaleidoscope of artists and shows over the course of his 12-year tenure.

— Leslie Pariseau, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
Social media and the rise of influencers transformed the streets outside the shows into a stage of their own.

— Alex Badia, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of show

Noun

Its effects should stay east of the Kansas City forecast area, leaving the region dry.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2026
Several studies suggest El Niño’s effects on the region could be more severe in 2027, when the climate pattern may disrupt the rainforest’s next rainy season.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of effect

Browse Nearby Words

semaphores

semblance

semblances

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Style

“Semblance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/semblance. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of semblance

noun

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