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
After much time spent together under false pretenses in Season 2, Gi-hun and The Front Man/In-ho share their first scene together in Season 3 toward the end of the series when The Front Man reveals his true identity to Gi-hun.
—
Jennifer Maas, Variety, 29 June 2025
The New York Times reported on the event, which Grenell suggested Hickenlooper organized under false pretenses.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 24 June 2025
Late in Season 4, Camille packed up and left Paris after one last go at a relationship with Gabriel (Bravo) under false pretenses involving a fake pregnancy.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 23 June 2025
These travelers weren't deported—they were denied entry after attempting to enter the U.S. under false pretenses.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 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.
Jennifer Maas, Variety, 29 June 2025
The New York Times reported on the event, which Grenell suggested Hickenlooper organized under false pretenses.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 24 June 2025
Late in Season 4, Camille packed up and left Paris after one last go at a relationship with Gabriel (Bravo) under false pretenses involving a fake pregnancy.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 23 June 2025
These travelers weren't deported—they were denied entry after attempting to enter the U.S. under false pretenses.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 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 6 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share