Dissemble: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when someone hides their true emotions, thoughts, or intentions. It implies a more deliberate and calculated effort to conceal the truth.

• He dissembled his happiness at the news, not wanting to make his friend jealous.
• She smiled, trying to dissemble her true feelings of disappointment.

Very versatile word used in various contexts to mean acting in a way that makes something appear true when it is not. Less formal than 'feign' and often used in everyday conversation.

• The children pretended to be superheroes.
• He pretended not to know about the surprise party.

Used to describe pretending to feel something or to be something you are not, often to deceive someone. It can be used in both serious and playful scenarios.

• She feigned illness to avoid going to school.
• He feigned surprise, although he had already known the news.

Typically used in scientific, technical, or formal contexts to describe imitating a process or system. It does not always imply deceit, unlike the other words.

• The flight simulator helps pilots train by simulating real flight conditions.
• Scientists use models to simulate climate changes.

Often used in formal or literary contexts to indicate concealing one's true feelings, motives, or intentions. It tends to imply some level of deceit or hypocrisy.

• She tried to dissimulate her nervousness before the interview.
• He dissimulated his intentions behind a facade of friendliness.

Dissemble is used when someone is hiding their true intentions or feelings. It implies deceit and a conscious effort to present oneself differently from what one genuinely is.

• He tried to dissemble his true motives by acting extremely kind.
• She could not dissemble her disappointment when she received the news.

Hide is a broad term used for making something invisible or keeping it from being discovered. It is commonly used in everyday language.

• The child tried to hide under the bed during the game of hide and seek.
• She decided to hide the truth from her parents.

Mask is used when someone is covering up their true feelings or identity, often to deceive or protect themselves. It carries a slight negative connotation in terms of deceit.

• He tried to mask his nervousness with a confident smile.
• The criminal masked his face to avoid being recognized.

Conceal is a general term for hiding something so that it cannot be seen or found. It can be used in both positive and negative contexts.

• She tried to conceal the gift until his birthday.
• He was accused of concealing evidence from the police.

Camouflage is typically used in a military or natural context, where something is being hidden or made less visible by blending in with the surroundings.

• The soldiers used branches and leaves to camouflage their position.
• The chameleon camouflaged itself to avoid predators.