Definition of pretext
: a purpose or motive alleged or an appearance assumed in order to cloak the real intention or state of affairs
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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 of pretext from the Web
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Radcliffe, who grew up riding ponies and competing in show jumping, took an interest in racing when her grandfather began sneaking her over to the track under the pretext of going for a walk together.
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In other states, Wheeler said, legalizing marijuana for medical use was just a pretext for allowing widespread use by people who don't have medical problems.
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Girls and boys are encouraged to ignore genetics under the pretext of self-identification.
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That measure passed the House in November, but some Senate Democrats along with environmental groups are concerned the legislation is a pretext for giving loggers easier access to public forests.
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Now, there are concerns that some Iranians have that the Revolutionary Guard are actually allowing these protests to fester to eventually use as a pretext for coming in and crushing them and expanding their authority in the country.
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The Venezuelan President has frequently cast U.S. accusations of drug trafficking as a pretext for meddling in the country and trying to topple him.
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In the past, North Korea has relentlessly denounced those military exercises as a provocation and a pretext for a U.S. invasion, and responded with ballistic missile tests and other threats.
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Last summer, Bolton pressed Haley to trigger confrontation with Iran that could be used as a pretext for walking away from the Iran nuclear deal.
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.
Origin and Etymology of pretext
Latin praetextus, from praetexere to assign as a pretext, screen, extend in front, from prae- + texere to weave — more at technical
Synonym Discussion of 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.
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- said by way of apology that he would have met them if he could
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- his speech was an apologia for his foreign policy
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- used illness as an excuse for missing the meeting
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- her usual plea that she was nearsighted
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- used any pretext to get out of work
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- his alibi failed to stand scrutiny
PRETEXT Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of pretext for English Language Learners
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: a reason that you give to hide your real reason for doing something
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See words that rhyme with pretext Spanish Central: Translation of pretext Nglish: Translation of pretext for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of pretext for Arabic speakers
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