dissemble

[ dih-sem-buhl ]

verb (used with object)

, dis·sem·bled, dis·sem·bling.

1. to give a false or misleading appearance to; conceal the truth or real nature of:

   to dissemble one's incompetence in business.

   Synonyms: dissimulate, disguise, camouflage, hide, mask

2. to put on the appearance of; feign:

   to dissemble innocence.

3. Obsolete. to let pass unnoticed; ignore.

verb (used without object)

, dis·sem·bled, dis·sem·bling.

1. to conceal one's true motives, thoughts, etc., by some pretense; speak or act hypocritically.

dissemble

/ dɪˈsɛmbəl /

verb

1. to conceal (one's real motives, emotions, etc) by pretence
2. tr to pretend; simulate
3. obsolete.
   to ignore

Derived Forms

• disˈsemblingly, adverb
• disˈsembler, noun
• disˈsembling, nounadjective
• disˈsemblance, noun

Other Words From

• dis·sem·bler noun
• dis·sem·bling·ly adverb
• un·dis·sem·bled adjective
• un·dis·sem·bling adjective
• un·dis·sem·bling·ly adverb
• well-dis·sem·bled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dissemble¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; late Middle English dissemile, dissimill, alteration (by association with obsolete semblen, sembel “to bear a resemblance, appear to be”) of Middle English dissimulen “to assume a false appearance, be insincere,” from Old French dessembler, dissembler “to be unlike,” from Latin dissimulāre “to conceal the identity of, disguise”; dis- ¹, resemble, simulate

Word History and Origins

Origin of dissemble¹

C15: from earlier dissimulen, from Latin dissimulāre; probably influenced by obsolete semble to resemble

Example Sentences

It took German soldiers just 36 hours and 27 crates to dissemble the entire chamber and ship it to a castle in Königsberg.

From The Daily Beast

Three days into the life of the fledgling country and separatists dissemble on how far advanced they are in state making.

From The Daily Beast

Instead of too big to fail, they embrace the unfettered right to cheat and dissemble.

From The Daily Beast

But it apparently made it easier for Pentagon officials to dissemble about them.

From The Daily Beast

It would not be the same house; we should have to dissemble; I saw myself speaking English the long day through.

From Project Gutenberg

The Minister was too old, and too passionate by nature, to hide his feelings; he no longer cared to dissemble them.

From Project Gutenberg

It smote him with horror and anger; but he was much too manly to betray these actual sentiments, and continued to dissemble.

From Project Gutenberg

It may even be politic to dissemble a little, and pretend we rather enjoy it than otherwise.

From Project Gutenberg

Lady Byron, having once conceived a notion of Augustas guilt, would not change her opinion, and was far too honest to dissemble.

From Project Gutenberg