variants
or pretence
1
as in affectation
the quality or state of appearing or trying to appear more important or more valuable than is the case
she seemed to be a very down-to-earth woman who was completely free of pretense
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in airs
a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive
her display of bravado was just a pretense
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in claim
an entitlement to something
this book on gardening makes no pretense at completeness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in arrogance
an exaggerated sense of one's importance that shows itself in the making of excessive or unjustified claims
the pretense of that woman in thinking that the other hotel guests should be inconvenienced just for her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pretense
Under the pretense of getting a suit Hector can wear in court, Cherry snoops around their bedroom.
—
Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
He was charged with grand theft, attempted grand larceny, conspiracy, elder abuse, and theft by false pretenses, officials said.
—Paloma Chavez, Sacramento Bee, 5 Mar. 2025
The film, which also pays tribute to Hollywood classics of yesteryear, offers an exploration of social pretense and performance in the real world.
—Ed Meza, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025
Democrats say that Republicans are using claims of fraud at the Social Security Administration (SSA) as a pretense for scrutiny and cuts.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretense
Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
He was charged with grand theft, attempted grand larceny, conspiracy, elder abuse, and theft by false pretenses, officials said.
—Paloma Chavez, Sacramento Bee, 5 Mar. 2025
The film, which also pays tribute to Hollywood classics of yesteryear, offers an exploration of social pretense and performance in the real world.
—Ed Meza, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025
Democrats say that Republicans are using claims of fraud at the Social Security Administration (SSA) as a pretense for scrutiny and cuts.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretense
Noun
-
Ivy-as-Marilyn is an inconsiderate, amphetamine guzzling faux-intellectual whose devotion to the acting craft is presented as a vainglorious affectation.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2025
-
The interaction between Briony and Jamie starts off amiably, with Jamie needling Briony for her posh affectations.—
Doreen St. Félix,
The New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Over the course of just a few days, markets around the world had skimmed along just above bear territory, making many people wonder what was going on with the man who based his claims to success in his first term in large part on the success of the stock market.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Trump fired Krebs over Twitter in 2020 because Krebs was correcting claims and rumors about voter fraud in the 2020 election.—
Katherine Faulders,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Most are due to unnecessary escalation, creating disengagement, authoritative behaviors, arrogance and ego.—
Joao Mendes-Roter,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Musk’s casual Friday attire just shows his arrogance and disrespect for American government.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
This was the night that any pretensions over Arsenal possessing the requisite firepower to compete on four fronts were put to bed.—
Jordan Campbell,
The Athletic,
7 Jan. 2025
-
There were no pretensions of showmanship, no displays of braggadocio — just the hollow ringing of palms on goatskin.—
Taran Dugal,
Rolling Stone,
16 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Following the act of protest, the referee of the University of Maryland match -- which was not an NCAA tournament -- issued a black card to Turner, removing her from the competition.—
Leah Sarnoff,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Dine on everything from pate en croute to Faroe Island salmon while taking in a performance from a wide-range of legendary performers: this spring alone sees acts from Glee’s Matthew Morrison to Jeff Goldblum.—
Elise Taylor,
Vogue,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The hypocrisies of what might be called humanity’s delusions of superiority suggest the need for deeper questioning.—
Billy J. Stratton,
The Conversation,
7 Apr. 2025
-
His superiority was self-evident, like the rays of the sun.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
However, pastel purple is very much a show stopper in nail design.—
Celeste Polanco,
Essence,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The show will explore the intersection of design, storytelling, and innovation, offering a rare glimpse into how truly great products are made.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The assumption is the Wolves won’t be able to do that in each of their final five games, even with one of the league’s most favorable remaining schedules.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Intricate supply chains and trillions of dollars in investments—made over years based on assumptions of a world where trade barriers were being reduced or would remain constant—are now being upended.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretense. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
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