semblances
Surface-level likenesses only
Semblances are outward appearances or shows of something, often implying that the reality underneath may differ from what's presented.
If you maintain a semblance of order in a chaotic situation, you create at least the appearance that things are under control.
The word carries a suggestion of incompleteness or artifice—a semblance of something is not quite the genuine article but rather an approximation or facade that passes for it.
Atmospheric optical deception
- apparitionVisible supernatural manifestation
- phantomInsubstantial apparition
- specterGhostly threatening presence
- phantasmIllusory supernatural appearance
vision · hallucination · delusion · fantasy · ghost · shadow · trace · hint
Visual similarity or representation
countenance · facade · mien · bearing · demeanor · expression · figure · outline
Absurd or obvious pretense
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
- facadeDeceptive outward appearance
- shamFraudulent imitation
fakery · feigning · posturing · affectation · artifice · guise · veneer · pretension
mirage
Atmospheric optical deception
- apparitionVisible supernatural manifestation
- phantomInsubstantial apparition
- specterGhostly threatening presence
phantasm · vision · hallucination · delusion · fantasy · ghost · shadow · trace · hint · glimmer
likeness
Visual similarity or representation
visage · countenance · facade · mien · bearing · demeanor · expression · figure · outline · silhouette
charade
Absurd or obvious pretense
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
- facadeDeceptive outward appearance
sham · fakery · feigning · posturing · affectation · artifice · guise · veneer · pretension · show
semblancesrealities
Things that exist
substances · actualities · essences · truths · authenticities
semblancesdifferences
Ways things aren't alike
dissimilarities · contrasts · distinctions · disparities · divergences