Dissembled

To disguise or conceal one's true feelings, beliefs, or intentions; to feign or pretend. This involves an active act of hiding what is genuinely felt or believed, often through the use of deception, misdirection, or an outward facade that contradicts the inner reality. The purpose of dissembling can range from avoiding conflict or social awkwardness to manipulating a situation for personal gain. It suggests a degree of conscious artifice, a deliberate choice to project a false image. The act frequently employs a calculated strategy to maintain appearances while concealing a contrasting truth, often through deliberate withholding of information or giving misleading signals.

Dissembled meaning with examples

• He dissembled his disappointment when his promotion was passed over. He plastered a smile on his face, offering congratulations to his colleague, though inwardly he felt a pang of envy and frustration. He knew showing his true emotions would be detrimental to his professional reputation, so he concealed his discontent meticulously.
• Knowing his parents disapproved of his career choice, she dissembled her passion for acting, leading them to believe she was more focused on a stable, conventional job. She spoke enthusiastically of her office job and hid her auditions, trying to maintain peace until she could gain her independence.
• The spy dissembled his allegiance to his own country, adopting the mannerisms and political views of the enemy in order to infiltrate their ranks and gather intelligence. His every word and action was a calculated performance, a deception designed to protect his cover and achieve his mission objectives.
• She carefully dissembled her nervousness before the presentation. She projected an air of confidence, though her palms were sweating and her heart was racing. She took several deep breaths and practiced her lines, putting on a facade to project to her audience.
• In an effort to appear unaffected by the gossip, she dissembled her hurt feelings by laughing with the group while trying to appear like she was a normal member of their circle. The attempt to seem unfazed came across as disingenuous and awkward to those who knew her well, though she got through the social gathering.