pretense

noun pre·tense \ ˈprē-ˌten(t)s , pri-ˈten(t)s \

variants: or pretence

|Updated on: 12 Jul 2018

Examples: pretense in a Sentence

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

See pretense defined for English-language learners

See pretense defined for kids

Examples of pretense in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of pretense from the Web

Her lawsuit alleged that American Media and her lawyer at the time lured her into the agreement under false pretenses.

— rebecca davis o’brien, WSJ, "Publisher of National Enquirer Subpoenaed in Michael Cohen Probe," 20 June 2018
Grand theft and theft by false pretenses: 700 block of Foothill Boulevard.

— latimes.com, "Crime Report: Business burglaries and thefts fill this week’s sheriff’s log," 13 June 2018
Martin's recent criminal past includes pleading guilty to burglary, dealing in stealing property, receiving money from a pawnbroker under false pretenses.

— david j. neal, miamiherald, "He wanted to get rid of apartment tenants. Then, the bombs went off, cops say," 11 June 2018
McDaniel, then known as Tosha McDougal, served about 20 months in state prison after being convicted in 2006 in Cabarrus County on charges of obtaining property under false pretenses and identity theft.

— michael gordon, charlotteobserver, "She has filed more than 160 lawsuits; now a judge has stepped in to stop her | Charlotte Observer," 25 May 2018
She and Rose befriend a fellow food trucker, the brilliant (and cute, obvs) Hamlet Wong, whose easy smiles and lack of pretense astonish Clara.

— katie ward beim-esche, The Christian Science Monitor, "'The Way You Make Me Feel' follows a teen's journey from 'chill' to sincere," 16 May 2018
Many of those accusations included claims that Weinstein had allegedly harassed or assaulted them in hotel rooms, under the pretense of a professional meeting.

— de elizabeth, Teen Vogue, "SAG-AFTRA Seeks to End Auditions in Hotel Rooms," 15 Apr. 2018
One level of pretense falls away and small talk becomes less small.

— kaitlin menza, Marie Claire, "Inside a Two-Day Sex Party at a Nudist Resort," 29 Sep. 2017
There’s a sense of decadence to the way EBO celebrates oysters and caviar, but absolutely no pretense.

— todd plummer, Vogue, "This Oyster-and-Caviar Pop-Up Is Shaking Up Boston’s Culinary Scene," 4 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pretense.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of pretense

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

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First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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pretense Synonyms

PRETENSE Defined for English Language Learners

pretense

noun

Definition of pretense for English Language Learners

: a false reason or explanation that is used to hide the real purpose of something
: an act or appearance that looks real but is false
: a claim of having a particular quality, ability, condition, etc.