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

• disˈsembler, noun
• disˈsemblingly, adverb
• 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

They dissemble and they stonewall the press, and they do every time.

From Salon

Certainly much more so than Trump, who lies and dissembles every waking moment of the day.

From Salon

Davis dissembled over the City Council’s passing of an ordinance making public drug use a gross misdemeanor, said Galanda.

From Seattle Times

Hearts dissemble, jealousies can spring up out of nowhere and erotic desire leads everyone astray.

From Los Angeles Times

On the rare occasions when Biden has been put on the spot for his role in making the Iraq invasion politically possible, his response has been to dissemble and tell outright lies.

From Salon