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 statements
I don't pretend to any expertise in these matters.

Examples of pretend to (something) in a Sentence

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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.
You are not required to pretend to respect someone who disrespects you. William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025 Each person switches up being the person who needs to recharge, making sure to pretend to make fun plans for later before going to recharge and take space. Christian Dashiell, Parents, 25 Feb. 2025 Tristan’s cunning plan for telling Sykes about his beloved dead pigeon is to completely avoid him and pretend to be Siegfried on the phone. Alice Burton, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2025 Laurel continues to mock both Emily and Ryan, and then pulls out a book to pretend to read to ignore everyone. EW.com, 23 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pretend to (something)

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Cite this Entry

“Pretend to (something).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pretend%20to%20%28something%29. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

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