semblances

noun

plural of semblance
1
as in facades
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 faces
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 semblances Beginning it with starts from Mike Burrows on Friday and Spencer Arrighetti on Saturday — two of this starting rotation’s lone semblances of reliability — should provide some comfort. — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for semblances
  1. facades
  2. faces
  3. pretenses
  4. appearances
  5. guises
  6. effects
  7. shows
  8. impressions
Noun
  • Building facades don't just look weathered and soot-stained, graffiti is scrawled on them and posters are peeling off them.
    — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • With rusted machinery and derelict buildings, the quiet silhouette of Kennecott's faded crimson facades are all that remains of this town weathered by harsh Alaskan winters.
    — Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 27 July 2026
Definition of facades
Noun
  • Since Escola, who won a Tony for playing Mary, left the production, tons of famous faces have assumed the part including Jane Krakowski, Tituss Burgess, Betty Gilpin, Maya Rudolph and Meg Stalter.
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026
  • His answer will put a smile on the faces of old school football fans.
    — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of faces
Noun
  • Trimpey also faces a felony charge of obtaining money by false pretenses.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
  • At school, Jin’s oldest daughter, Jane, teams up with a Black classmate, one of few, to expose their neighbors’ prejudices and pretenses.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
Definition of pretenses
Noun
  • Santos has 11 goals in 18 appearances in his first season in the league.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Both Presley and the Beatles made nationwide television appearances that cemented their place in pop culture on The Ed Sullivan Show (although Sullivan wasn’t actually hosting the night of Presley’s first appearance).
    — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of appearances
Noun
  • Somewhere between a sandal and a ballet flat, caged silhouettes come in all manner of guises.
    — Sarah Leigh Bannerman, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 July 2026
  • Footballing success, in differing guises, came a long time ago.
    — Adam Leventhal, New York Times, 10 June 2026
Definition of guises
Noun
  • The authors called the safety profile acceptable while noting more work will be done to hone the vaccine's safety-efficacy balance — vaccines often have a tradeoff of more side-effects with a higher dose for a stronger efficacy.
    — Joseph Kim, NPR, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The letter was sent several days after the NPS released a preliminary assessment that found the arch could have significant adverse effects on the historic structures around it.
    — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of effects
Noun
  • Additionally, Apple and MLS came to that agreement when MLS was primarily in a summer timeframe – a stretch when there’s less TV competition for live sports (and new shows) beyond baseball.
    — John Cassillo, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • And that rate stayed above 1 out of every 1,000 for the next two seasons, CDC data shows.
    — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of shows
Noun
  • The early impressions of Downs were encapsulated in one moment during the team’s first training camp practice on Wednesday.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Aug. 2026
  • But what’s been clear through one week of camp is that the players angling for extensions have made strong early impressions.
    — Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of impressions

Browse Nearby Words

semblance
semblances
semi
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Cite this Entry

“Semblances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/semblances. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of semblances for Spanish Speakers

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