Skip to main content
dissembler

dissembler

1 9.5
A person who hides real thoughts or plans by saying something else
  • noun
  • /dɪˈsɛmblər/
translation icon : disimulador
  • Dissemblers!

Examples

  • I have no idea, really, but I suspect Chuck Todd is not being a conscious dissembler.

    Blog text (15)
  • But isn't it better, as a rule, to try to expose the fools and dissemblers through open dialogue?

    Blog text (5)
  • "Neither will I go in with dissemblers.

  • I would say also that includes dissemblers, eh, flip!

    Blog text (24)
  • Those sly dissemblers! Those, uh...

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Even for the Dissembler-in-Chief, the truth occasionally ekes through.

    Blog text (6)
  • - You're a dissembler.

  • He lives his two lives openly on the straightaway ground; he's not a dissembler.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • It does no good to wring our hands at the stupid Americans who don't get what a dissembler Romney is.

    Blog text (25)
  • The politician was known as a dissembler who often changed his opinions to suit the audience.

Synonyms

phony
vsdissembler
  • Offensive
73 6.2

A person who pretends to have feelings or beliefs to deceive others

is a neutral term for hiding true feelings rather than casual fakery
fake
vsdissembler
  • Offensive
65 3.7

A person who pretends to be someone they are not

stresses concealing beliefs and motives rather than general imitation
faker
vsdissembler
  • Offensive
15 5.2

A person who pretends to be someone else or lies to trick people

focuses more on hiding inner motives than simple outward pretending
deceiver
vsdissembler
13 5.5

A person who tricks others by making them believe something not true

hides true feelings specifically instead of broad lying or tricking
pretender
vsdissembler
7 7.1

A person who acts friendly or helpful but does not really feel that way

aims more at concealing feelings and motives than general claiming
wolf in sheep's clothing
vsdissembler
  • Informal
7 6.2

A person who seems friendly but is actually dangerous or dishonest

focuses on hiding feelings broadly rather than actual dangerous intent
snake in the grass
vsdissembler
  • Offensive
5 8.1

A person who pretends to be friendly but secretly harms or tricks you

is more general about concealment not necessarily harmful betrayal
double-dealer
vsdissembler
  • Offensive
1 8.5

A person who pretends to be a friend but secretly works against others

focuses on concealing feelings rather than active opposite behaviour
sandbagger
vsdissembler
  • Offensive
1 8.9

A person who hides their real skill to win unfairly in contests

is broader covering hiding feelings not only tactical deception
dissimulator
vsdissembler
9.2

A person who hides true feelings or plans by saying things they do not mean

is the exact formal match in meaning
shammer
vsdissembler
9.6

A person who pretends to be someone else to trick people

focuses on hidden feelings rather than staged or obvious fakery

Antonyms

1 3.8

A person who never lies, even when it is hard

How Concealing

deceiver
13 5.5
dissembler
1 9.5
pretender
7 7.1

Surface Forms

dissembler singular
dissemblers plural

Morphology

dissembler = dissemble (transparent) = dissemble + er

Agentive formation from the verb 'dissemble' using the productive English suffix '-er', yielding 'one who dissembles'.

Etymology

The word dissembler comes from Latin parts dis- 'away' and simul 'same', and simul is the same root behind similar. So a dissembler is someone who puts a different face 'away' from what they really feel, hiding their true feelings by pretending to be different.