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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
  • When the idea of turning facades into power plants comes up, most people picture solar panels bolted onto rooftops.
    — Zev Laine, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The changing colors in Blue Sea Sky draw inspiration from its surroundings, including the blue ocean waters, green palm fronds, orange sunsets, and pink Art Deco neon facades.
    — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of facades
Noun
  • Folding small clothes; washing little faces; sunscreen; a million snacks.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
  • And the looming reality underpinning all of it is that, at some point between now and 2030, some (not all) of the current main characters, the faces of the program, could begin to fade.
    — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of faces
Noun
  • The strategic mistake of invading Iraq on false pretenses was then compounded by tactical errors.
    — Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Johnson created the story of Nancy (Emilia Jones), who is not a girlfriend, but a crush who Bourdain foolhardily (and under false pretenses) follows to Provincetown after not getting a writing fellowship.
    — Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of pretenses
Noun
  • In 573 plate appearances, William Contreras has hit 14 long balls, tallied 74 RBIs and scored 73 runs.
    — Data Skrive, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The doc follows Oasis across 12 concerts on three continents during their Live ’25 tour, the band’s first live appearances since their acrimonious split back in 2009.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of appearances
Noun
  • Throughout the weekend, Dudamel embraced the worlds of Hollywood, Latin music in many guises and old-fashioned rock.
    — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • With their traditional, legacy rivals — the Manchester clubs, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur — in various guises of transition, Arsenal are suddenly the team to beat and the Emirates is suddenly a library of sound; noise please.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of guises
Noun
  • San Francisco must now fight the effects of trying to reset those body clocks back to Pacific Time ahead of the final 16 games, and perhaps that’s Los Angeles’ edge in never changing at all.
    — Nate Atkins, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The effects were longer wait times for new, more affordable cars, and higher prices for used cars.
    — David Freedlander, Curbed, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of effects
Noun
  • Scripps also has dedicated studio shows for the WNBA and NWSL.
    — Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Some have already signed with top Hollywood agencies and received offers for reality shows, podcasts, brand deals and more, turning their digital followings into business empires.
    — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of shows
Noun
  • But while Jumbo’s has garnered a mythology as a magnet for filmmakers, writers and musicians who collect impressions, the dive’s dancers have shifted from being the subject to the artists.
    — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Success used to be measured by impressions, click-through rates and website visits.
    — Jay Sen, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 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 19 Sep. 2026.

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