pretense

pre·tense

noun \ˈprē-ˌten(t)s, pri-ˈ\

Definition of PRETENSE

1

: a claim made or implied; especially : one not supported by fact

2

a : mere ostentation : pretentiousness <confuse dignity with pomposity and pretense — Bennett Cerf>

b : a pretentious act or assertion

3

: an inadequate or insincere attempt to attain a certain condition or quality

4

: professed rather than real intention or purpose : pretext <was there under false pretenses>

5

: make-believe, fiction

6

: false show : simulation <saw through his pretense of indifference>

Variants of PRETENSE

pre·tense or pre·tence \ˈprē-ˌten(t)s, pri-ˈ\

Examples of PRETENSE

1. We tried to keep up the pretense that everything was fine.
2. Their indifference is merely pretense.

Origin of PRETENSE

Middle English, probably modification of Medieval Latin pretensio, irregular from Latin praetendere

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to PRETENSE

Synonyms

affectation, affectedness, grandiosity, inflation, pretension, pretentiousness

Antonyms

humility, modesty, unassumingness, unpretentiousness

Related Words

arrogance, bumptiousness, complacency, conceit, egotism, hauteur, imperiousness, pompousness, presumptuousness, pride, self-aggrandizement, self-assertion, self-assumption, self-conceit, self-consequence, self-glorification, self-importance, self-satisfaction, smugness, vaingloriousness, vainglory, vainness, vanity; disdain, haughtiness, lordliness, snobbery, snobbishness, superciliousness, superiority; confidence, presumption, self-assurance, self-confidence, sureness; boastfulness, braggadocio; aggressiveness, assertiveness, audaciousness, boldness, brassiness, cheekiness, cockiness, forwardness, impudence, insolence, rudeness; grandiloquence; flamboyance, flashiness, garishness, gaudiness, glitz, mummery, ostentation, ostentatiousness, show, showiness

Near Antonyms

demureness, down-to-earthness, humbleness, humility, lowliness, meekness, modesty; bashfulness, diffidence, shyness, timidity; naturalness, sincerity

Rhymes with PRETENSE

defense, expense, horse sense, incense, nonsense, past tense, sequence, sixth sense