semblance

noun

sem·​blance ˈsem-blən(t)s 

1

a

: outward and often specious appearance or show : form

wrapped in a semblance of composure

—Harry Hervey

b

: modicum

has been struggling to get some semblance of justice for his people

—Bayard Rustin

2

: aspect, countenance

3

a

: a phantasmal form : apparition

b

: image, likeness

4

: actual or apparent resemblance

her story bears some semblance to the truth

Synonyms

• act
• airs
• charade
• disguise
• facade
• façade
• front
• guise
• masquerade
• playacting
• pose
• pretense
• pretence
• put-on
• show

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

There was a bright side though as Lively and P.J. Washington finally found some semblance of an offense in the fourth quarter. —Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2024

Maybe that’s it — that’s the achievement, the golden accolade — to find the qualities that give a semblance of dignity to the human race — find them in others, adopt them in ourselves, burrow them into the modest nooks of the world that we’ll be remembered in. —Clare French, Hartford Courant, 16 Mar. 2024

Snippets and jotted ideas — some semblance of chapters. —Manuel Betancourt, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2024

On good days, some semblance of civility, imagine that, prevails. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2024

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

Kids Definition

semblance

noun

sem·​blance ˈsem-blən(t)s 

1

: outward and often misleading appearance or show

2

: one that resembles another : likeness, image