under false pretenses
idiom
: by saying something that is not true, by pretending something, etc.
A reporter obtained documents from the company under false pretenses.
Examples of under false pretenses in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Turk has now broken his silence, alleging that he was booted from the tour under false pretenses after refusing to accept less money for his remaining appearances on the tour.
—
Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 28 July 2025
Moreover, Thailand is breaching its agreement with the United States, the very supplier of its weapons, by using these arms under false pretenses and in inappropriate conditions.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 July 2025
Tiron Alexander, 35, was convicted on June 5 of multiple counts of wire fraud and entering the secure area of an airport under false pretenses, the Justice Department announced this week.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 13 June 2025
Tiron Alexander, 35, was convicted on June 5 of entering the secure area of an airport under false pretenses and wire fraud.
—Viola Flowers, NBC news, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for under false pretenses
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 28 July 2025
Moreover, Thailand is breaching its agreement with the United States, the very supplier of its weapons, by using these arms under false pretenses and in inappropriate conditions.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 July 2025
Tiron Alexander, 35, was convicted on June 5 of multiple counts of wire fraud and entering the secure area of an airport under false pretenses, the Justice Department announced this week.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 13 June 2025
Tiron Alexander, 35, was convicted on June 5 of entering the secure area of an airport under false pretenses and wire fraud.
—Viola Flowers, NBC news, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for under false pretenses
Cite this Entry
“Under false pretenses.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/under%20false%20pretenses. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share