under/on the pretense of
idiom
: using as a false reason or explanation (something that is used to hide the real purpose of something)
He called her under/on the pretense of asking about the homework assignment.
Examples of under/on the pretense of in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Travis Aaron Wade In Spacey Unmasked, Wade, an aspiring actor, alleged that Spacey manipulated him into being in a hotel room alone with him on the pretense of hosting a Golden Globes after-party.
—
Aja Romano, Vox, 5 June 2024
The Biden administration is happy to spend billions of dollars to prop up electric vehicle production, on the pretense of fighting climate change.
—Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 6 June 2024
The former President, who famously used his office’s authority to unilaterally slap import duties on foreign steel under the pretense of national security, is notoriously tough on China.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2024
This stubbornness, masquerading under the pretense of civic duty, stands in stark, almost jarring contrast to the forward-thinking pragmatism that is indispensably needed for a meaningful and enduring urban transformation.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 19 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for under/on the pretense of 
Aja Romano, Vox, 5 June 2024
The Biden administration is happy to spend billions of dollars to prop up electric vehicle production, on the pretense of fighting climate change.
—Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 6 June 2024
The former President, who famously used his office’s authority to unilaterally slap import duties on foreign steel under the pretense of national security, is notoriously tough on China.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2024
This stubbornness, masquerading under the pretense of civic duty, stands in stark, almost jarring contrast to the forward-thinking pragmatism that is indispensably needed for a meaningful and enduring urban transformation.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 19 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for under/on the pretense of
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'under/on the pretense of.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Cite this Entry
“Under/on the pretense of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/under%2Fon%20the%20pretense%20of. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share