dissimulation
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of dissimulation
1350–1400; Middle English dissimulacioun (< Anglo-French ) < Latin dissimulātiōn- (stem of dissimulātiō a feigning); see dis- 1, simulation
Explanation
The noun dissimulation describes the act of faking your true feelings. Your dissimulation of happiness might fool strangers but your close friends can tell it's all an act. The word dissimulation implies that the wool is being pulled over someone's eyes, or they're being fooled or tricked by someone's deceit. The origin of dissimulation is the Latin dissimulationem, which means "a disguising or concealment." Don't confuse dissimulation with dissimilation, which describes the act of making something different or less similar.
Vocabulary lists containing dissimulation
"The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe
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"The Tell-Tale Heart," Vocabulary from the short story
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"The Odyssey" by Homer, Books 8–13
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In this instance, the dissimulation went both ways.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026
This attitude often implies a bit of dissimulation, in particular on the part of the group leader.
From Scientific American ● Apr. 16, 2021
“Its present meaning is: the assumption of a false appearance of virtue or goodness, with dissimulation of real characters or inclinations.”
From The Guardian ● Oct. 11, 2020
Under these circumstances, evasion is unacceptable, and any attempt at dissimulation should be rejected.
From Slate ● Sep. 17, 2018
The others were more practiced at this particular dissimulation.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
