Pretense
Pretense noun - A display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive.
Usage example: her display of bravado was just a pretense
Semblance is a synonym for pretense in falsehood topic. In some cases you can use "Semblance" instead a noun "Pretense", when it comes to topics like show, disguise. popular alternative
Semblance
Semblance noun - A display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive.
Usage example: tried to project some semblance of confidence even though public speaking terrified her
Mutual synonyms
Related pairs
Both words in one sentence
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The Navy manages to remove Muse from the lifeboat under pretense of 'Negotiations' ...but he is also the one keeping any semblance of stability on the lifeboat.
Source: Film / Captain Phillips
Cite this Source
Semblance and Pretense. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 16, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/pretense/semblance
Pretense & Semblance. N.p., 2016. Web. 16 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/pretense/semblance>.
Semblance or Pretense. 2016. Accessed August 16, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/pretense/semblance.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "pretense" and "semblance" have occurred on timeline