pretend to (something)
idiom
formal
: to claim that one has (something, such as a quality or ability)
She pretends to a deep religious devotion, but I don't believe her.
—usually used in negative statementsI don't pretend to any expertise in these matters.
Examples of pretend to (something) in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That approach brings us back to the concern that AGI will pretend to be on good behavior.
—
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
President Snow, facing growing unrest across the nation as a result of the pair’s joint victory, demands that Katniss and Peeta pretend to be in love during their Victory Tour to discourage any rebellions.
—Kelly Martinez Published, EW.com, 5 July 2025
Busey and his partners pretend to be terrorists, blow a hole in the plane, and plummet to the earth with Jeter while leaving behind evidence that he’s been killed — evidence that placates all the authorities back on the ground, but which Snipes refuses to accept.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 3 July 2025
Scammers may pretend to be a family member in trouble, asking for money to resolve a crisis.
—Marin Independent Journal, Mercury News, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretend to (something)
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Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
President Snow, facing growing unrest across the nation as a result of the pair’s joint victory, demands that Katniss and Peeta pretend to be in love during their Victory Tour to discourage any rebellions.
—Kelly Martinez Published, EW.com, 5 July 2025
Busey and his partners pretend to be terrorists, blow a hole in the plane, and plummet to the earth with Jeter while leaving behind evidence that he’s been killed — evidence that placates all the authorities back on the ground, but which Snipes refuses to accept.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 3 July 2025
Scammers may pretend to be a family member in trouble, asking for money to resolve a crisis.
—Marin Independent Journal, Mercury News, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretend to (something)
Cite this Entry
“Pretend to (something).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pretend%20to%20%28something%29. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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