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
  • Set the scene The Pinch sits on King Street’s popular north-south artery of clothing shops, wine bars, palm trees, and decorative facades.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Roses and a soft orange nod to the way light catches on its facades.
    — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of facades
Noun
  • As the hundreds of thousands of people made their way down the narrow roads following the politician, a few rerouted into the industry event, still carrying big flags and with faces lit up with hope.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The service Most of the staff at Round Hill has been working there for over three decades—some fresh faces are mixed in, of course—and the service is delightfully friendly.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of faces
Noun
  • Conference expansion has shattered pretenses to regional coherence.
    — Geraldo L. Cadava, The Atlantic, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The strategic mistake of invading Iraq on false pretenses was then compounded by tactical errors.
    — Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of pretenses
Noun
  • The royal has not been seen wearing these rings in public appearances since 2011.
    — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Trump has made frequent appearances at major sporting events throughout his second term.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of appearances
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 guises
Noun
  • The result gives researchers a different way to examine anomalous Hall effects.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Some meteorologists are predicting a more mild early winter season due to the effects of El Nino, which could have an impact on this year’s flu season, Wu said.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of effects
Noun
  • The show comes after Sheeran was forced to cancel his Gillette Stadium shows last weekend amid a nor’easter headed for Boston, despite caving to Kraft’s demands.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Sheeran’s tour was slated to play at Kraft’s Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts at the end of September (the shows were ultimately canceled last minute due to severe weather).
    — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of shows
Noun
  • If impressions are flat or growing while clicks decline, the auction is still healthy.
    — Gaetano Romeo, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • And look at the Johnson-less segments, like the overlong Weekend Update (more on that later) — or especially the stale-as-hell midterm ads political cold open, another excuse to run through all the usual impressions.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 4 Oct. 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 9 Oct. 2026.

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