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

But the notice appears to use the pretext of armed conflict, on top of previous claims of self-defense, to transform the civilian boats and their crews into legitimate military targets. —Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 3 Oct. 2025

Russia’s unsubstantiated claims that NATO is plotting armed provocations against Transnistria could be a pretext for Moscow’s meddling in Moldova, raising concerns about further military aggression in the region. —Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025

Caracas has denounced the deployment as a pretext for coercion and a possible attempt at regime change. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025

Even countries like Iran, which have long used the Palestinian cause as a pretext for hostility, would now face a diplomatic reckoning. —Faisal J. Abbas, semafor.com, 24 Sep. 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