What does dissemble mean?
To dissemble is to hide one's true feelings, motives, or beliefs behind a false or misleading outward manner. A person who dissembles does not simply keep silent about their thoughts — they actively project an appearance that contradicts them, feigning warmth where there is resentment or calm where there is fear. The word is formal and literary in register and carries distinctly negative connotations: it implies deliberate deception rather than innocent discretion. It appears most often in descriptions of political maneuvering, social pretense, and moral criticism, as when a writer notes that a character 'dissembled grief' or 'dissembled innocence.' The word derives ultimately from Latin roots meaning 'to seem,' making it etymologically kin to 'resemble' — fittingly, since to dissemble is to make oneself seem something one is not. It is a precise and evocative choice whenever ordinary words like 'lie' feel too blunt and 'withhold' too mild.
verbTo conceal one's true feelings, motives, or beliefs behind a false outward appearance; to disguise or pretend.
- To conceal one's real feelings, motives, or beliefs under a false appearance; to disguise oneself verbally or behaviorally.
"He dissembled his anxiety behind a cheerful smile throughout the interview."
"She learned early in politics how to dissemble, offering warm praise while nursing quiet resentment."
"Though he dissembled confidence before the board, his hands trembled as he opened the report."
"Dissemble" and "resemble" share the same root — both come from a word meaning "to seem," so to dissemble is literally to make yourself seem other than you are.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of dissemble
Dissemble entered English in the late Middle Ages, borrowed from Old French 'dessembler,' formed from the prefix 'des-' (expressing reversal) plus 'sembler' ('to seem'), which traces back through Latin 'simulare' to 'similis' ('like' or 'similar'). Its underlying sense was thus 'to make oneself appear otherwise than one is.' It shares this Latin root with words such as 'resemble,' 'semblance,' 'simulate,' and 'similar.'
How dissemble is actually used
A formal, literary verb carrying strongly negative connotations of deliberate deceit; it implies more than mere tact — it suggests sustained, purposeful concealment of the truth about oneself.
Easily confused with dissemble
'Dissemble' means to hide one's true feelings or intentions, while 'disassemble' means to take something apart into its component pieces.