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
  • The bakery first opened at a location across the street in 1894, with the year emblazoned on the historic building’s facades.
    — Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Aug. 2026
  • La Bárbara Hidden behind one of the historic facades of Casco Viejo, La Bárbara is a cocktail bar-meets-sushi spot and speakeasy all wrapped into one.
    — Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of facades
Noun
  • But the functions of what happens on a normal set, where there have to be bounce boards to light back up people’s faces, and all that stuff, that’s all designed into the set as well.
    — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026
  • After losing four starters to the NFL in the offseason, several new faces will take over key positions on the line.
    — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 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
  • The events have all had a Trumpian flair, featuring appearances from his friends and the aim of showcasing spectacle, Americana and power.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The Marlins now have several first base options at Triple A among Long, Deyvison De Los Santos and Kemp Alderman (who came up through the system as an outfielder but has 25 appearances at first base for Jacksonville this season).
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of appearances
Noun
  • Somewhere between a sandal and a ballet flat, caged silhouettes come in all manner of guises.
    — Sarah Leigh Bannerman, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 July 2026
  • Footballing success, in differing guises, came a long time ago.
    — Adam Leventhal, New York Times, 10 June 2026
Definition of guises
Noun
  • Social media put the storm’s effects on display, with videos of floodwaters leaving cars stranded on highways, stormwater runoff erupting onto city streets and waterfalls cascading onto the subway tracks at Penn Station.
    — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Some shipping companies are already feeling the trickle-down effects.
    — Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of effects
Noun
  • That’s Angus’s behavior, and that is always fair game on these shows.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Organizers hoped the shows would draw 250,000 attendees and inaugurate the city as a home for jazz events on par with New Orleans and Montreal.
    — Shi Bradley, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of shows
Noun
  • Instead, fans have only seen short clips of Mourinho’s impressions via the club’s in-house media channels.
    — Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The reports show impressions, pages, countries, devices and visibility trends across Google’s generative search features.
    — Joel House, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 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 23 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of semblances for Spanish Speakers

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