1
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
2
as in appearance
outward and often deceptive indication
a used-car dealer with only a semblance of honesty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of semblance
Living under a tattered flag of St. George, the people here have reconstructed some semblance of society by relying on traditional tasks and traditional attitudes.
—
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 18 June 2025
Israel is clear that its ultimate goal is to pound Iran into total submission to restore some semblance of the country’s prerevolutionary society.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 18 June 2025
Audiences hungry for some semblance of monoculture in a fractured attention economy and fatigued by dismal current events turned to the villa for escapism.
—Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 14 July 2025
For a multitude of plausible technical reasons, the AI could readily emit a statement or piece of advice that lacks any semblance of common sense and goes entirely out of bounds.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for semblance
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 18 June 2025
Israel is clear that its ultimate goal is to pound Iran into total submission to restore some semblance of the country’s prerevolutionary society.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 18 June 2025
Audiences hungry for some semblance of monoculture in a fractured attention economy and fatigued by dismal current events turned to the villa for escapism.
—Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 14 July 2025
For a multitude of plausible technical reasons, the AI could readily emit a statement or piece of advice that lacks any semblance of common sense and goes entirely out of bounds.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for semblance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for semblance
Noun
-
In the case of Brazil, which now faces a potential 50% levy, the president has abandoned the pretense of using his tariff policy to shore up trade deficits.—
Garrett Haake,
NBC news,
10 July 2025
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Over the past several years, numerous individuals have been arrested after allegedly attempting to enter the property under suspicious or false pretenses, in some cases carrying electronic equipment or claiming to have messages for the president.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
The man accused of stabbing to death two people who were hiking at Devil’s Den State Park on Saturday was ordered held without bond and appointed an attorney at a brief first appearance hearing Friday at the Washington County Detention Center.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
1 Aug. 2025
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Ahead of the fest closers, Gracie Abrams wowed fans with a surprise appearance from Robyn, Cage the Elephant paid tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, and many more artists made waves.—
Althea Legaspi,
Rolling Stone,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The Space Mountain facade will be bathed in Fantastic Four projection lighting effects at night and Tomorrowland restaurants will sell movie themed food and a Clobberin’ Time sipper in the shape of The Thing’s fist.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
22 July 2025
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The full facade is now the same shade of pink as the rest of the building.—
Katherine Weaver,
Chicago Tribune,
20 July 2025
Noun
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This year, the festival lineup of musical acts includes headliner Craig Morgan, Outlaw Whiskey, and Balsam Range, and attendees will also get to experience the car cruise-in, dock jumping, and a dedicated kid zone with face painting and a splash pad.—
Lydia Mansel,
Southern Living,
26 July 2025
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After getting his start on Saturday Night Live in the 1990s, Sandler quickly became one of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces.—
Declan Gallagher,
EW.com,
26 July 2025
Noun
-
Pumping out 434-hp in its Japan-spec guise, the last A90 Supra was priced in its home country at 15 million yen or around $101,000.—
Peter Lyon,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
-
Renowned for a distinct sense of minimalism, the new Ming 20.01 series 5 guise is anything but.—
Thor Svaboe,
Robb Report,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Older people often bring up how the U.S. helped Kosovo, and that left a strong impression.—
Kathleen Peddicord,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
-
Twenty-seven years ago, Armageddon benefited from a marketing campaign that left a lasting impression.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
Though Colbert's show has been nominated for 33 Emmys in all, across various categories, since 2017, it's never won.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
2 Aug. 2025
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But the loss of CPB funding threatens the financial stability of the local stations that carry these shows—particularly those in rural or underserved regions that have long depended on federal support to stay on the air.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
World Athletics has confirmed that gene testing for female eligibility will come into effect in time for the Tokyo World Championships in September.—
Jessica Hopkins,
New York Times,
31 July 2025
-
Shortly after the clock strikes midnight, President Donald Trump’s tariffs go into effect.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Semblance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/semblance. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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