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Synonyms

seeming

American  
[see-ming] / ˈsi mɪŋ /

adjective

  1. apparent; appearing, whether truly or falsely, to be as specified.

    a seeming advantage.
    Synonyms:
    superficial, external, ostensible

noun

  1. appearance, especially outward or deceptive appearance.

    Synonyms:
    pretense, face, semblance
seeming British  
/ ˈsiːmɪŋ /

adjective

  1. (prenominal) apparent but not actual or genuine

    seeming honesty
"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

noun

  1. outward or false appearance

"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

Other Word Forms

  • seemingly adverb
  • seemingness noun

Etymology

Origin of seeming

1300–50; Middle English semynge; seem, -ing 2, -ing 1

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.

Yet a seeming recovery in manufacturing after a prolonged slump faces fresh obstacles, the most notable being the conflict with Iran.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

First, he parades all the safety doomers, seeming to believe their warnings that an unfeeling superintelligence is upon us and we can’t trust it.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

The seven-story addition directly abuts the original building without seeming to touch it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

In recent days, housing industry lobbyists have internally noted the seeming permissiveness of that exemption and others as potential tools for defanging the investor ban, said people familiar with the matter.

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

Dean rubbed his chin, seeming to understand this was a serious situation.

From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn

Definitions 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.