Definition

Noun: 1. The act of deceiving; the act of concealing the truth or one's true feelings, motives, or character. It refers to the behavior of pretending or feigning. 2. Pretending with intention to deceive. It is the practice of presenting a false appearance.

Usage

The word "dissembling" is a formal noun that describes the action or practice of deception through pretense. It often implies a sustained or habitual act of hiding one's true nature or intentions.

Examples

• The politician's dissembling was finally exposed by the investigative journalists.
• She saw through his dissembling and recognized his anger despite his calm smile.
• The spy's survival depended on skillful dissembling.

Advanced Usage

• As a gerund: Although "dissembling" is primarily treated as a noun, it originates from the verb "dissemble." In some contexts, it can function as a gerund (a verb form ending in -ing that acts as a noun).
  • His constant dissembling about his past made him untrustworthy. (Here, "dissembling" is the gerund/noun, the object of the preposition "about".)

Variants and Related Words

• Dissemble (verb): To conceal one's true motives, feelings, or beliefs.
  • He dissembled his disappointment with a cheerful laugh.
• Dissembler (noun): A person who dissembles; a deceiver.
  • The character in the play is a charming dissembler.

Synonyms

• Deception
• Pretense
• Feigning
• Hypocrisy
• Duplicity
• Guile

Antonyms

• Honesty
• Candor
• Frankness
• Sincerity
• Forthrightness

Noun

1. the act of deceiving
2. pretending with intention to deceive