pretext

noun

pre·​text ˈprē-ˌtekst 

: a purpose or motive alleged or an appearance assumed in order to cloak the real intention or state of affairs

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

Iran’s model presented Tehran as a mentor and patron, incubating armed groups under the pretext of fighting just causes. —Lina Khatib, Time, 19 June 2025

In recent years, reports have documented how ICE will sometimes jump on minor infractions, like a misdemeanor arrest, as a pretext to set deportation proceedings in motion, particularly in jurisdictions that cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. —Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025

Iranian officials have always denied seeking a nuclear bomb, but such claims served as the pretext for Israel's military intervention. —Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025

The second Trump administration, well aware of this deference, is using foreign policy as a pretext for its legally dubious actions. —Elizabeth N. Saunders, Foreign Affairs, 16 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin praetextus, from praetexere to assign as a pretext, screen, extend in front, from prae- + texere to weave — more at technical

First Known Use

circa 1538, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pretext

• on one pretext or another

Rhymes for pretext

• complexed
• deflexed
• perplexed
• plaintext
• reflexed
• subtext
• ciphertext
• hypertext
• multiplexed
• teletext
• flexed
• next

Kids Definition

pretext

noun

pre·​text ˈprē-ˌtekst 

: a reason put forward in order to hide the real reason