dissimulate

[ dih-sim-yuh-leyt ]

verb (used with object)

, dis·sim·u·lat·ed, dis·sim·u·lat·ing.

1. to disguise or conceal under a false appearance; dissemble:

   to dissimulate one's true feelings about a rival.

verb (used without object)

, dis·sim·u·lat·ed, dis·sim·u·lat·ing.

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

dissimulate

/ dɪˈsɪmjʊˌleɪt /

verb

1. to conceal (one's real feelings) by pretence

Derived Forms

• disˈsimuˌlator, noun
• disˌsimuˈlation, noun
• disˈsimulative, adjective

Other Words From

• dis·simu·lative adjective
• dis·simu·lator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dissimulate¹

First recorded in 1525–35, dissimulate is from the Latin word dissimulātus (past participle of dissimulāre to feign). See dis- ¹, simulate

Example Sentences

But European leaders wonder if she is dissimulating, and the European Union is watching her coalition’s comfortable victory in Italy, one of its founding members, with caution and some trepidation.

From New York Times

All you have to do is watch them stumble and dissimulate on television trying to persuade people they aren't going to keep making life miserable for millions of women and their families.

From Salon

Given this particular movie, she presumably also lectures on “Cyrano de Bergerac” and topics like the dissimulating heroine.

From New York Times

A useful civics lesson on how a president who has been caught dissimulating reacts away from the cameras may be found in William Jefferson Clinton.

From BBC

Isolated in his shrink-wrap, Fox-speak bubble in the debate, he ignored the fact that he has already turned America into a sort of dystopia by bungling and dissimulating on the virus.

From New York Times