dissemble

USAGE SUMMARY

'dissemble' is an appropriate word to use in written English.
It is an intransitive verb which means to disguise or conceal one's real intentions, motives, or feelings. For example, one might say "She dissembled her true feelings so as not to hurt her friend's feelings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But his body can't dissemble: it coughs at awkward questions, leans into interest, coils round a joke.

The Guardian - Film

And it is hard to find any sympathy for companies that dissemble or hold back information.

The Economist

And a table in the SFFA's own brief shows that between 2007 and 2013 Asian-American enrolment at Harvard went from 15% to 18%, an increase of a fifth that may be hard to reconcile with charges of a silent quota.Mr Blum maintains, however, that Harvard's admissions policy is "a figleaf to hide, dissemble and obfuscate racial balancing and quotas".

The Economist

They dissemble.

The Economist

Peter was the most cultivated of Spanish 14th-century kings but was also an inveterate political intriguer whose ability to dissemble was notorious.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Corbyn's approach is refreshing to voters fed up with years of listening to slick-suited politicians who are always on message and who yet routinely dissemble and swerve from the truth.

Independent

While her Australian opponent had ultimately restored a gulf in class, Keothavong did not dissemble.

Independent

He cannot go past a man nor dissemble with a dip of the shoulder.

Independent

* "While he presented himself as a partner to the US... he also demonstrated that he will dissemble when it suits his needs.

Independent

He tries to dissemble but is useless: "Yeah… I don't think… um".

Independent

His refrain of "Round up the usual suspects" whenever the Germans stamp their feet is the pithiest lesson in how to dissemble that any politician could ask for.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dissemble" when you want to convey a sense of deliberate concealment or pretense, especially in formal contexts. It suggests a more calculated effort to deceive than simply 'hiding' something.

Common error

Avoid mistaking "dissemble", meaning to conceal or disguise, with "resemble", which means to look or seem like something else. For example, do not write 'He dissembled his father' when you mean 'He resembled his father'.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dissemble" is as an intransitive verb. It describes the action of concealing one's true feelings, motives, or beliefs. As Ludwig AI indicates, it suggests active disguise rather than passive hiding. For example, "Politicians routinely dissemble and swerve from the truth."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "dissemble" functions as an intransitive verb denoting the act of concealing one's true intentions or feelings. According to Ludwig AI, it’s grammatically correct and implies deliberate disguise. This word commonly appears in news and media, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, and it carries a neutral register suitable for various writing styles. When using "dissemble", ensure you're conveying a sense of intentional deception, and avoid confusing it with "resemble". Alternatives include "conceal", "hide", or "mask", offering nuanced ways to express the concept of hiding or misrepresenting something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conceal the truth

Focuses specifically on hiding factual information.

mask one's feelings

Emphasizes the act of hiding emotions.

feign innocence

Highlights the pretense of being guiltless.

put on a false front

Suggests creating a deceptive appearance.

hide one's intentions

Specifically refers to concealing plans or purposes.

play possum

Informal term for pretending to be unaware or uninvolved.

disguise the facts

Involves altering the presentation of information to mislead.

give a false impression

Focuses on creating a misleading perception.

act deceptively

General term for behaving in a misleading manner.

mislead intentionally

Highlights the deliberate nature of the deception.

FAQs

How to use "dissemble" in a sentence?

The verb "dissemble" means to conceal one's true motives, feelings, or beliefs. For example, "He tried to "dissemble" his disappointment with a smile".

What can I say instead of "dissemble"?

You can use alternatives like "conceal", "hide", "mask", or "feign" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "dissemble" to describe unintentional deception?

No, "dissemble" implies a deliberate effort to mislead or conceal the truth. If the deception is unintentional, use words like "mislead" or "unwittingly deceive".

What's the difference between "dissemble" and "dissimulate"?

"Dissemble" and "dissimulate" are often used interchangeably, both meaning to hide one's true feelings or intentions. However, "dissimulate" can sometimes suggest a broader or more pervasive form of deception, while "dissemble" might imply a more localized act of concealment.