under false pretenses

phrase

: by saying something that is not true, by pretending something, etc.
A reporter obtained documents from the company under false pretenses.

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underfall
under false pretenses
underfeed
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Cite this Entry

“Under false pretenses.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/under%20false%20pretenses. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.

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