Definition of PRETEXT

Choose the Right Synonym for pretext

apology, apologia, excuse, plea, pretext, alibi mean matter offered in explanation or defense. apology usually applies to an expression of regret for a mistake or wrong with implied admission of guilt or fault and with or without reference to mitigating or extenuating circumstances. said by way of apology that he would have met them if he could apologia implies not admission of guilt or regret but a desire to make clear the grounds for some course, belief, or position. his speech was an apologia for his foreign policy excuse implies an intent to avoid or remove blame or censure. used illness as an excuse for missing the meeting plea stresses argument or appeal for understanding or sympathy or mercy. her usual plea that she was nearsighted pretext suggests subterfuge and the offering of false reasons or motives in excuse or explanation. used any pretext to get out of work alibi implies a desire to shift blame or evade punishment and imputes mere plausibility to the explanation. his alibi failed to stand scrutiny

Examples of pretext in a Sentence

She went back to her friend's house on the pretext that she had forgotten her purse.

Recent Examples on the Web

Another irony is that Mr. Trump has denounced China for using national security as a pretext to promote domestic industries like semiconductors. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "Trump’s Steel Destruction," 31 May 2018 Ryabkov claimed that the U.S. has long intended to abandon the INF Treaty and is making a false allegation about 9M729 to give it a pretext for leaving. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Russia Defends New Cruise Missile, Says It Doesn't Violate Any Arms-Control Treaties," 24 Jan. 2019 The apparent goal of the memo is to undermine Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, which could give Trump a pretext to fire him—and thus imperil Mueller’s investigation, which Rosenstein oversees. — Matt Ford, New Republic, "Trump Warned America About His Abuse of Power," 30 Jan. 2018 The pretext is preventing Russian or other election interference, though ads bought by Russian actors in 2016 (about $100,000) represent less than 0.01% of spending on digital ads that cycle. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "Majority Preservation Act," 7 Jan. 2019 That's the whole pretext for this Russia investigation is Carter Page was a Russian agent working for Trump. — Fox News, "Ann Coulter on left's meltdown over Kavanaugh allegation; will Carter Page finally learn why the FBI spied on him?," 19 Sep. 2018 For instance, imposing stricter limits on the president’s power to set tariffs based on the Trade Expansion Act would put a check on Mr. Trump’s abuses, such as his plan to tax imported cars under the pretext of national security. — Ed Gerwin, WSJ, "Trump’s Tariffs Give Democrats a Chance to Lead on Trade," 21 Oct. 2018 By curbing donations, the DOC uses supposed drug smuggling as a pretext for denying prisoners the pursuit of knowledge, happiness, and personal betterment. — Constance Grady, Vox, "The time has come to choose the Oddest Book Title of the Year," 3 Nov. 2018 Colonna’s grief was real and not merely a poetic pretext. — Cammy Brothers, WSJ, "‘Renaissance Woman’ Review: A Lady of Letters," 27 Apr. 2018

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