semblance
noun
sem·blance
ˈsem-blən(t)s 
1
2
3
a
: a phantasmal form : apparition
4
: actual or apparent resemblance
her story bears some semblance to the truth
Synonyms
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
The outlets have logos and names that evoke a bygone era of American journalism, an effort to create a semblance of authenticity.
—
Steven Lee Myers, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024
Rather, his full-scale invasion of Ukraine was the moment Putin finally abandoned all semblance of cooperation with the West, and all pretence that dissent and criticism inside this great nation would be tolerated.
—Matthew Chance, CNN, 24 Feb. 2024
The current presidential elections will not offer even a semblance of competition to Mr. Putin, much less give a limited stage to any critical opponent as past elections sometimes did.
—Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Feb. 2024
For a franchise that will have missed the playoffs for eight straight seasons, any semblance of hope that Curry, maybe, one day, could possibly don a Hornets jersey is blind faith.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2024
Apparently, that still couldn’t give them any semblance of a boost against the Hawks.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2024
Sure, this is RPG 101, but most games of the last 30 years at least attempt to mask the routine with a semblance of cinematic flourish.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2024
The senator also threatened to take away any semblance of local authority from Phoenix after the City Council banned dozens of mobile home residents facing eviction from speaking at a public meeting.
—Taylor Seely, The Arizona Republic, 30 Jan. 2024
That’s impossible just now, because border politics have lost any semblance of sanity.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024
Steven Lee Myers, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024
Rather, his full-scale invasion of Ukraine was the moment Putin finally abandoned all semblance of cooperation with the West, and all pretence that dissent and criticism inside this great nation would be tolerated.
—Matthew Chance, CNN, 24 Feb. 2024
The current presidential elections will not offer even a semblance of competition to Mr. Putin, much less give a limited stage to any critical opponent as past elections sometimes did.
—Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Feb. 2024
For a franchise that will have missed the playoffs for eight straight seasons, any semblance of hope that Curry, maybe, one day, could possibly don a Hornets jersey is blind faith.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2024
Apparently, that still couldn’t give them any semblance of a boost against the Hawks.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2024
Sure, this is RPG 101, but most games of the last 30 years at least attempt to mask the routine with a semblance of cinematic flourish.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2024
The senator also threatened to take away any semblance of local authority from Phoenix after the City Council banned dozens of mobile home residents facing eviction from speaking at a public meeting.
—Taylor Seely, The Arizona Republic, 30 Jan. 2024
That’s impossible just now, because border politics have lost any semblance of sanity.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'semblance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near semblance
Cite this Entry
“Semblance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semblance. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
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semblance
noun
sem·blance
ˈsem-blən(t)s
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