pretense

noun

pre·​tense ˈprē-ˌten(t)s 

pri-ˈten(t)s

variants or pretence

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

Synonyms of pretense

• affectation
• pretension
• arrogance
• vanity

Examples of pretense in a Sentence

We tried to keep up the pretense that everything was fine.

Their indifference is merely pretense.

Recent Examples on the Web

Every horror series at some point has to reset — to drop the pretense that the audience knows or remembers its world, its characters, and its rules, and to start anew with characters who need everything explained to them. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026

The strategic mistake of invading Iraq on false pretenses was then compounded by tactical errors. — Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

According to police, Nelson allegedly arranged to meet a 19-year-old Oakland man via social media on the pretense of purchasing a diamond ring from the man for $5,500, according to court records. — Harry Harris, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026

Before Starlink, someone on a business trip might still decide to expense suboptimal Wi-Fi to keep up the pretense of working. — Nancy Walecki, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "assertion of a legal right, claim, reason, basis, feigning," borrowed from Anglo-French pretence, pretens "assertion of one's right," probably borrowed from Medieval Latin praetensē or praetensō "by way of assertion or allegation, allegedly, fictitiously," respectively adverbial derivative and masculine/neuter ablative singular of praetensus, praetentus "pretended, alleged," past participle of Latin praetendere "to hold or stretch out, put forward as a pretext" — more at pretend entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pretense

• abandon/drop all pretense at
• make a pretense of
• under/on the pretense of

Rhymes for pretense

• commence
• condense
• defence
• defense
• dispense
• expense
• fourpence
• halfpence
• immense
• incense
• intense
• missense

Kids Definition

pretense

noun

pre·​tense

variants or pretence

ˈprē-ˈten(t)s  pri-ˈten(t)s 

1

: a claim usually not supported by facts

2

: the quality or state of being pretentious

free from pretense

3

: an effort to reach a certain condition or quality

let's have some pretense of order around here

the book makes no pretense at completeness

4

: a pretended purpose

was there under false pretenses

5

: a false show : simulation

a pretense of indifference