seeming 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of seemingnext
as in apparent
appearing to be true on the basis of evidence that may or may not be confirmed a seeming contradiction that disappeared upon closer analysis of the text

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

seeming

2 of 3

noun

ˈsē-miŋ How to pronounce seeming (audio)
as in appearance
outward and often deceptive indication her altruism is all seeming—she cares only about herself

Synonyms & Similar Words

seeming

3 of 3

verb

present participle of seem
as in looking
to give the impression of being I tried to cheer them up because they seemed depressed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective seeming contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of seeming are apparent, illusory, and ostensible. While all these words mean "not actually being what appearance indicates," seeming implies a character in the thing observed that gives it the appearance, sometimes through intent, of something else.

the seeming simplicity of the story

In what contexts can apparent take the place of seeming?

The synonyms apparent and seeming are sometimes interchangeable, but apparent suggests appearance to unaided senses that may or may not be borne out by more rigorous examination or greater knowledge.

the apparent cause of the accident

When is it sensible to use illusory instead of seeming?

The words illusory and seeming can be used in similar contexts, but illusory implies a false impression based on deceptive resemblance or faulty observation, or influenced by emotions that prevent a clear view.

an illusory sense of security

When could ostensible be used to replace seeming?

The words ostensible and seeming are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ostensible suggests a discrepancy between an openly declared or naturally implied aim or reason and the true one.

the ostensible reason for their visit

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of seeming
Adjective
Single digit morning temperatures, windchills below zero and the seeming constant hum of a furnace working overtime to keep indoors temperatures livable. —Karl Ebert, Journal Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2023 That said, overall investment in healthcare is really just back to 2019 levels, a seeming regression to the mean after the pandemic spurred investment capital into areas like drug development, telehealth and other parts of the healthcare industry. —Alex Knapp, Forbes, 25 Jan. 2023
Noun
One seeming point of agreement among publicists is that the scandal has embarrassed the profession as a whole. —James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Feb. 2025 Dressed in a white shirt and wearing a green sweater draped on her shoulders, the actress, 42, smiled widely and held her head in her hands in seeming shock. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 10 Feb. 2025
Verb
The most persuasive people are able to prove their point without seeming manipulative or ill-intended. —Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 28 Dec. 2024 While seeming meager by today’s equipment standards, these supplies were critical for the volunteers. —John Laycock, Baltimore Sun, 27 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for seeming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for seeming
  1. apparent
  2. appearance
  3. looking
  4. face
  5. possible
  6. impression
  7. obvious
  8. effect
Adjective
  • And with no apparent competition for the starting job, the redshirt junior can focus on his own game rather than competing with the guys around him.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 3 Apr. 2025
  • In 1932 Chicago police raided an apparent summit meeting of gangsters, and arrested Lansky and five others on vagrancy charges.
    — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of apparent
Noun
  • In her return to Mexico City, following her appearance at the previous edition of the Corona Capital festival, Annie Clark (her real name) was joined by Nine Inch Nails drummer Ilan Rubin as part of her band.
    — Natalia Cano, Billboard, 3 Apr. 2025
  • The then-artistic director of Céline’s appearances were rare even then, but her stylistic aura had permeated the industry and set aesthetic codes for years to come and still to this day.
    — Héloïse Salessy, Vogue, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of appearance
Verb
  • Gi-hun is followed back to the games by a Seoul police officer, Jun-ho (Wi Ha-joon), who is looking for his missing brother, In-ho.
    — Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024
  • In it, the singer-songwriter saunters in a polka-dot dress before the screen pans to a glamorous-looking Carey, who delivers a whistle note.
    — Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 24 Dec. 2024
Definition of looking
Noun
  • The rash generally appears three to five days after the first symptoms, beginning as flat red spots on the face and then spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet.
    — Devi Shastri, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The chef took to social media at the time to mourn the loss of the legendary Nacho, who became the face of his own cat food line and amassed over 269,000 Instagram followers during his life in the spotlight.
    — Emily Rella, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of face
Adjective
  • Fans began speculating about a possible Thug album dropping later that night.
    — Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The six-year initiative, ending in November 2025, aims to shed light on the possible timeframes during which Mars might have been warm and wet, covered in glaciers, and maybe even suitable for life.
    — Jonathan O’Callaghan, JSTOR Daily, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of possible
Noun
  • My impression of bath mats, from years of owning ones that end up getting soggy on contact, was that there was little to nothing to do about mildew, puddles of water, and discoloration.
    — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 27 Mar. 2025
  • And those first impressions include just about everything.
    — Terri Williams, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of impression
Adjective
  • Entertainment Fans of the show on social media seem to be missing a lot of crucial character development, and there’s an obvious explanation why.
    — Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025
  • In its wildest moments, Coogler’s film seems like a collision of Lovecraft Country with True Blood, though more obvious comparisons will likely be drawn to From Dusk Till Dawn.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of obvious
Noun
  • The tariffs set to go into effect on Thursday, April 3, 2025, will alter trade arrangements that were established shortly after the end of WWII in 1947.
    — Rohit Arora, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • In China's case, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told CNN the 34% reciprocal tariff that was announced is in addition to a 20% tariff on Chinese goods that is already in effect.
    — Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of effect

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seeming
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Cite this Entry

“Seeming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seeming. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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