Synonyms of pretense

pretense

noun

ˈprē-ˌten(t)s 

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in facade

a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive

her display of bravado was just a pretense

Synonyms & Similar Words

• facade
• guise
• show
• act
• pose
• charade
• semblance
• masquerade
• airs
• disguise
• front
• cloak
• pretext
• put-on
• playacting
• performance
• appearance
• portrayal
• persona
• deception
• affectation
• impersonation
• excuse
• duplicity
• camouflage
• betrayal
• deceit
• image
• gloss
• dissimulation
• fraud
• treason
• treachery
• falseness
• guile
• fakery
• perfidy
• dissembling
• falsity
• color
• faithlessness
• double-dealing
• infidelity
• unfaithfulness
• double cross

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sincerity
• frankness
• candor
• directness
• bluntness
• straightforwardness
• forthrightness
• outspokenness
• candidness
• naïveté
• genuineness
• artlessness
• openheartedness
• plainspokenness

3

as in right

an entitlement to something

this book on gardening makes no pretense at completeness

Synonyms & Similar Words

• right
• claim
• pretension
• call
• title
• privilege
• dibs
• refusal
• prerogative
• birthright
• favor

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• waiver
• release
• disclaimer
• quitclaim

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

• arrogance
• superiority
• pretension
• disdain
• attitude
• assumption
• haughtiness
• pomposity
• superciliousness
• consequence
• imperiousness
• loftiness
• hauteur
• pretentiousness
• peremptoriness
• self-importance
• pompousness
• bumptiousness
• presumptuousness
• masterfulness
• lordliness
• high horse
• huffiness
• vanity
• pridefulness
• toploftiness
• dominance
• pride
• self-consequence
• condescension
• snobbery
• scorn
• bravado
• high-handedness
• inflation
• snobbishness
• bossiness
• snobbism
• snootiness
• self-assertion
• chest-thumping
• authoritativeness
• boastfulness
• brag
• smugness
• triumphalism
• swagger
• side
• cheekiness
• vainglory
• bowwow
• sauciness
• bombast
• egoism
• impudence
• self-satisfaction
• braggadocio
• egotism
• self-complacency
• cockiness
• self-opinion
• strut
• self-centeredness
• cheek
• conceit
• self-conceit
• complacence
• self-content
• impertinence
• vaingloriousness
• swelled head
• self-contentment
• superiority complex
• self-assumption
• self-partiality

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• humility
• modesty
• unpretentiousness
• shyness
• bashfulness
• timidity
• diffidence
• demureness
• passivity
• meekness
• self-doubt
• submissiveness
• unassumingness
• passiveness
• reserve
• lowliness
• quietness
• timidness
• retiringness
• self-distrust
• reservedness
• mousiness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of pretense

The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful—don't expect any pretense here, just genuine (and enjoyable) engagement. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026

Tom’s frugality also lured Nancy into the business on the pretense of spending more time together. — Tim Graham, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Conference expansion has shattered pretenses to regional coherence. — Geraldo L. Cadava, The Atlantic, 19 Sep. 2026

Cinematic pretense and the kinds political leaders and media personalities use to sell ideas are often one and the same. — Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing pretense

• make a pretense