semblance

noun

sem·​blance ˈsem-blən(t)s How to pronounce semblance (audio)
1
a
: outward and often specious appearance or show : form
wrapped in a semblance of composureHarry Hervey
b
: modicum
has been struggling to get some semblance of justice for his peopleBayard Rustin
2
3
a
: a phantasmal form : apparition
4
: actual or apparent resemblance
her story bears some semblance to the truth

Examples of semblance in a Sentence

tried to project some semblance of confidence even though public speaking terrified her a used-car dealer with only a semblance of honesty
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Hayes is part of a small faction of Black social media app founders with semblances of success in the space—it’s been proven to be incredibly difficult to gauge and sustain the interest of the masses on a new digital platform when compared to Instagram, X, Snapchat, and TikTok. Jasmine Browley, Essence, 3 Mar. 2025 Wittingly or not, nobody embodied this behavior better than Musk, who has spent the past decade operating with a healthy contempt for institutions, any semblance of decorum, and the law. Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2025 The doors closed, sparing Sam from making a false promise, a small favor on a night that hadn’t offered her any semblance of mercy. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 12 Feb. 2025 Burns can still sew up a talented cast, which likely speaks to the appeal of any project these days with a semblance of recognizable adult humanity bubbling inside. Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for semblance

Word History

Etymology

Middle English semblance, semblaunce "outward appearance, mere appearance, show, facial expression, likeness," borrowed from Anglo-French, "likeness, form, demeanor, resemblance," from sembler "to resemble, seem, appear" (going back to Latin simulāre, similāre "to pretend, assume the appearance of by one's conduct, imitate") + -ance, -aunce -ance — more at simulate

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of semblance was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Semblance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semblance. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

semblance

noun
sem·​blance ˈsem-blən(t)s How to pronounce semblance (audio)
1
: outward and often misleading appearance or show
2
: one that resembles another : likeness, image

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