dissemble

[ dih-sem-buhl ]

/ dɪˈsɛm bəl /

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See synonyms for: dissemble / dissembled / dissembling / dissembler on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), dis·sem·bled, dis·sem·bling.

to give a false or misleading appearance to; conceal the truth or real nature of: to dissemble one's incompetence in business.

to put on the appearance of; feign: to dissemble innocence.

Obsolete. to let pass unnoticed; ignore.

verb (used without object), dis·sem·bled, dis·sem·bling.

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

OTHER WORDS FOR dissemble

1 mask, hide, camouflage, disguise, dissimulate.

See synonyms for dissemble on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of dissemble

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”; see origin at dis-¹, resemble, simulate

OTHER WORDS FROM dissemble

dis·sem·bler, noundis·sem·bling·ly, adverbun·dis·sem·bled, adjectiveun·dis·sem·bling, adjective

un·dis·sem·bling·ly, adverbwell-dis·sem·bled, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH dissemble

disassemble, dissemble

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use dissemble in a sentence

The decision today put a definitive end to such dissembling.
Consolation for Conservatives: Upsides From the Health Care Ruling|Michael Medved|June 28, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He, meanwhile, grew tired of the lying, the dissembling, which she did constantly.
Whitney’s Road to Ruin|Jacob Bernstein|February 14, 2012|DAILY BEAST
But the majority of the time is spent dissembling the system that has enabled the addict to finance and feed their affliction.
The Rehab Show That Works|Natasha Vargas-Cooper|July 21, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Both agencies, especially the CIA, had intramural interests for dissembling and hiding the true facts.
The Mob Did It (We Think)|Ronald Goldfarb|January 5, 2009|DAILY BEAST

The tone is too earnest to permit the supposition that Edward was dissembling knowledge of the facts.
King Robert the Bruce|A. F. Murison
Deane tried to laugh but he was not good at dissembling and he was finding it hard to conceal his annoyance at the interruption.
Fidelity|Susan Glaspell
He was naturally a connoisseur in such matters, and knew well and easily the truth or dissembling in them.
Six Women|Victoria Cross
Dissembling then was Gudrun, against her heart she could speak, made herself gay appear, with two shields she played.
The Elder Eddas of Saemund Sigfusson; and the Younger Eddas of Snorre Sturleson|Saemund Sigfusson and Snorre Sturleson
Sleep well, Egyptian, and pray to the gods to give you a more equal power of dissembling your feelings.
An Egyptian Princess, Complete|Georg Ebers

British Dictionary definitions for dissemble

dissemble

/ (dɪˈsɛmbəl) /

verb

to conceal (one's real motives, emotions, etc) by pretence

(tr) to pretend; simulate

obsolete to ignore

Derived forms of dissemble

dissemblance, noundissembler, noundissembling, noun, adjectivedissemblingly, adverb

Word Origin for dissemble

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

dissemble

OTHER WORDS FOR dissemble

Origin of dissemble

OTHER WORDS FROM dissemble

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH dissemble

Words related to dissemble

How to use dissemble in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for dissemble

Derived forms of dissemble

Word Origin for dissemble