SEMBLANCE Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

semblance

noun

ˈsem-blən(t)s

Definition of semblance

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

as in appearance

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 semblance The other presidents had some semblance of comedic appreciation, whether through cynicism, irony, sarcasm, joke-telling, joke appreciation or storytelling. — John Blumenthal, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026 The Aztecs scrimmaged for perhaps four dozen plays, with an officiating crew present to create some semblance of game-like conditions. — Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026 Eagle recognizes the opportunity facing it, but there’s plenty of work to do—not simply to scale up manufacturing, but also, to reach some semblance of cost parity. — Adam Ismail, The Drive, 23 July 2026 Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Jones suggested that Armand achieved some semblance of closure. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for semblance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for semblance

Noun

Behind closed doors, Chloe gets hired by Melody under the pretense that Chloe is helping her teacher’s illiterate husband learn how to read.

— Matt Minton, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
This entire argument has been under the pretense that the Steelers will need a win — and Rudolph will deliver it.

— Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of pretense

Noun

By comparison, prior to Warsh taking office, officials averaged roughly 23 public appearances during the same two-week period following each Fed policy meeting since 2022.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Harris, making just his eighth career appearance, set the tone by pitching two perfect innings with two strikeouts to record his second career hold.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of appearance

Noun

The two-family home, designed by the Swiss architect Inès Lamunière, with a severe white stucco and glass façade, highlighter-orange doors, and twisting form, stood out in a neighborhood of 19th-century brownstones and multifamily brick buildings.

— Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 27 Aug. 2026
Yet behind the spectacle, the biggest symbols of their supposedly limitless riches were a facade to make their lives appear better than reality, according to the brothers’ own lawyers.

— Jonny Hallam, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of facade

Noun

Trout, the face of the franchise, has nonetheless been clear and direct about his desire to remain in Anaheim.

— Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
White County firefighter Will Roper rappelled down the rock face, secured the climber in a harness and attached him to a rope before he was brought to the top of the mountain.

— Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of face

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 guise

Noun

After testing multiple new hatchbacks, sedans, minivans, cargo vans, family SUVs and more, here are my top 10 best new vehicles of 2026 so far based on my driving impressions, rankings and overall value propositions.

— Charles Singh, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Ben’s view Analysis of China is often so polarized that a casual observer might get the impression that Beijing is both an unstoppable force on the verge of global domination and a precarious dictatorship on the brink of collapse.

— Ben Bland, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of impression

Noun

Crude-tanker stocks have led the rally, up 120% year-to-date, followed by car carriers, gas carriers and dry-bulk shippers, Lloyd's data show.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
The fact that the show couldn’t manage even a modicum of suspense with the same material shows how utterly sauceless this adaptation is.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of show

Noun

Finally, Angel Martinez captured this gorgeous shot of the eclipsed Sturgeon Moon setting behind a cluster of skyscrapers in Madrid, Spain, as atmospheric effects distorted the true color and outline of the lunar disk.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 28 Aug. 2026
As climate change exacerbates the heat, experts say the negative effects of sizzling classrooms are here to stay, especially in school districts that may not have the resources to combat hotter weather.

— Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of effect

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semaphores

semblance

semblances

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“Semblance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/semblance. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of semblance

noun

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