Dissimulate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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dissimulate

[dɪˈsɪmjʊleɪt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

in social situations

Conceal or disguise one's true feelings or intentions. To pretend to be unaware or unaware of something.

Synonyms

feign, mask, pretend, simulate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
dissimulate	This word is used when someone tries to hide or conceal their true feelings, motives, or thoughts, often to deceive others. It has a more formal tone and often carries a negative connotation. She tried to dissimulate her nervousness during the interview. He could not dissimulate his true intentions for long.
pretend	Pretend is the most commonly used word among these synonyms and is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It means acting like something is true when it is not, without necessarily implying any deceitful intent. The children pretended to be pirates during the play. He pretended he knew the answer even though he didn't.
feign	Feign is used when someone is pretending or giving a false impression of a feeling, state, or injury. It also tends to have a negative connotation and is used more in literary or formal contexts. She feigned surprise when she saw the birthday party. He feigned an illness to avoid going to school.
simulate	Simulate is used in contexts where someone deliberately imitates or reproduces characteristics or behavior, often for scientific or practical purposes rather than deceit. It has a neutral connotation. The pilot had to simulate an emergency landing during training. Researchers simulate environmental conditions to study climate change.
mask	This word is often used when someone is hiding their emotions or intentions behind a figurative mask. It can refer to both physical and emotional concealment and has a neutral to slightly negative tone depending on the context. He tried to mask his disappointment with a smile. She wore a mask of confidence, though she was very nervous inside.

Examples of usage

He tried to dissimulate his disappointment when he didn't get the promotion.
She dissimulated her anger behind a smile.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

historical context

To hide or suppress the truth or real nature of something.

Synonyms

camouflage, conceal, disguise, hide.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
dissimulate	Used when someone is hiding their true feelings or intentions. Often has a negative connotation. He tried to dissimulate his anxiety during the meeting
conceal	Used when something is being hidden from view or knowledge, typically something that could be discovered. She tried to conceal the broken vase from her parents
hide	Used in a general sense when someone or something is put out of sight or kept secret. The cat likes to hide under the bed during thunderstorms
disguise	Used when someone is changing their appearance to look like someone or something else, usually to prevent recognition. He wore a hat and sunglasses to disguise himself
camouflage	Used when something is made to look like its surroundings to avoid detection, often in a military or natural context. The soldiers used branches and leaves to camouflage their positions in the forest

Examples of usage

The government tried to dissimulate the severity of the situation from the public.
His attempts to dissimulate the evidence were eventually uncovered.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

This behavior is often linked to defense mechanisms, where individuals may hide their true feelings to protect themselves.
People may dissimulate to avoid judgment or to fit into social norms, reflecting the complexities of human interaction.
In social psychology, it’s considered a form of impression management, where individuals control how they're perceived.

Literature

Dissimulation is a common theme in literature, often depicted in characters who hide true intentions, such as in Shakespeare’s works.
Authors use this concept to create tension and conflict, making readers question the authenticity of characters' actions.
Classic novels like 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' explore the duality of appearance versus reality through dissimulating characters.

Ethics

In ethics, dissimulation raises questions about honesty and consequences, challenging the moral implications of pretending.
Philosophers debate whether dissimulation is ever justifiable, particularly in situations where truth could cause harm.
The practice can be seen in various cultural contexts, influencing moral standards and social expectations.

Pop Culture

Dissimulation appears in films and TV shows, where characters often hide their identities or true motives for dramatic effect.
Reality television showcases contestants dissimulating to gain advantages, making the concept relevant in modern media.
Influential characters like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde embody dissimulation, exploring the nature of good and evil within oneself.

Origin of 'dissimulate'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Latin 'dissimulare,' meaning 'to conceal' or 'to disguise.'
The prefix 'dis-' indicates negation while 'simulare' means 'to make similar or pretend.'
It has been used in English since the late 16th century, illustrating its historic roots in language.

The word 'dissimulate' originates from the Latin word 'dissimulatus', which means 'to disguise or conceal'. It entered the English language in the late 16th century. The concept of dissimulation has been present in various cultures throughout history, often associated with diplomatic or strategic behavior. The act of dissimulating one's true emotions or intentions has been a common theme in literature and philosophy, reflecting the complexity of human interactions.

See also: simulatable, simulated, simulation, simulator.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,996, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

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37995 palliating
37996 dissimulate
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