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

• affectation
• pretension

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

The federal indictment alleges that Combs and his associates lured two of the women under the pretense of a romantic relationship. —Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2025

Theft by false pretenses: A Saratoga resident said someone convinced them to sign a property deed in lieu of foreclosure to avoid filing for bankruptcy. —Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 27 June 2025

What was then the reigning Emmy winner for Outstanding Comedy Series all but abandoned any pretense of being comedic, other than in scenes featuring the cartoonish Fak family, as the show went all-in on the Faks. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 26 June 2025

That perspective gives us a unique opportunity to lead with both strength and empathy, spot talent where others might miss it and create cultures that last because they're built on purpose, not pretense. —Angela Palo, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025

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