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 statementsI don't pretend to any expertise in these matters.
Examples of pretend to (something) in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The attackers planned to use this data to pretend to be Coinbase and convince users to hand over their crypto, while demanding ransom from the exchange to cover it up.
—
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 15 May 2025
Some topics on the menu: people who pretend to be celebrities to get reservations.
—Sarah Lyall, New York Times, 2 May 2025
The series, according to Hajjo, explores the difference between those who are truly heroes, and those who pretend to be so as a result of war.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025
How to protect yourself: Scam losses worldwide this year are $1 trillion
The crooks — who might pretend to be from Apple, Google, an Internet service provider or even law enforcement — do their research and know where these ATMs are in your neighborhood.
—Susan Tompor, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretend to (something)
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Bloomberg, Mercury News, 15 May 2025
Some topics on the menu: people who pretend to be celebrities to get reservations.
—Sarah Lyall, New York Times, 2 May 2025
The series, according to Hajjo, explores the difference between those who are truly heroes, and those who pretend to be so as a result of war.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025
How to protect yourself: Scam losses worldwide this year are $1 trillion
The crooks — who might pretend to be from Apple, Google, an Internet service provider or even law enforcement — do their research and know where these ATMs are in your neighborhood.
—Susan Tompor, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretend to (something)
Cite this Entry
“Pretend to (something).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pretend%20to%20%28something%29. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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