1
as in to pretend
to present a false appearance of
he dissembled happiness at the news that his old girlfriend was getting married—to someone else
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2
as in to dissimulate
to take on a false or deceptive appearance
children learn to dissemble at a surprisingly early age
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dissemble
The defense of Putin’s regime has been offered by people operating as literary critics, ever disassembling and dissembling.
—
Timothy Snyder, Foreign Affairs, 6 Sep. 2022
That same week, Altman made headlines at a Senate hearing by asking to be regulated — wowing senators who were more accustomed to tech CEOs dissembling or responding evasively to questions.
—Brian Fung, CNN, 14 Feb. 2024
That year, with 23,000 U.S. troops in Vietnam, the administration was still dissembling about the American role in the war.
—Trip Gabriel, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2024
As are Philip and Elizabeth Jennings, always knowing the precise right play: who’s dissembling, where’s the weak spot.
—Laura Kipnis, WIRED, 5 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for dissemble
Timothy Snyder, Foreign Affairs, 6 Sep. 2022
That same week, Altman made headlines at a Senate hearing by asking to be regulated — wowing senators who were more accustomed to tech CEOs dissembling or responding evasively to questions.
—Brian Fung, CNN, 14 Feb. 2024
That year, with 23,000 U.S. troops in Vietnam, the administration was still dissembling about the American role in the war.
—Trip Gabriel, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2024
As are Philip and Elizabeth Jennings, always knowing the precise right play: who’s dissembling, where’s the weak spot.
—Laura Kipnis, WIRED, 5 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for dissemble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dissemble
Verb
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Too many leaders pretend to listen, nodding along in meetings but failing to take action.—
Mark Murphy,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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Pride, drama, politics There’s no point in pretending AFCON is perfect.—
Phil Hay,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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So until another shoe drops — assuming there will be another shoe — this deal feels somewhat incomplete for the Penguins.—
Shayna Goldman,
The Athletic,
6 Mar. 2025
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The regulatory process in California could take up to a year, assuming that Tesla’s technology proves to be safe, Smith said.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
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These chemicals are all housed in their own little capsules inside the e-Taste device, and released in different combinations and concentrations to simulate different foods.—
Michael Irving,
New Atlas,
3 Mar. 2025
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The right-hander will throw one inning and simulate more in the bullpen.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
1 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to dissemble
Cite this Entry
“Dissemble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dissemble. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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