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
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
After fleeing the building under the pretense of using the bathroom, Nadia reportedly sought medical aid later that day at the Rape Treatment Center (RTC) at UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center.
—Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 16 Sep. 2023
Lured to the Washington, D.C., area on the pretense of a training junket, he was arrested and charged with federal drug crimes before agreeing to cooperate, officials said.
—Tim Golden, ProPublica, 31 Jan. 2024
The report alleges that Weinberg would lure women to his home under the pretense of a photoshoot before assaulting them.
—Samuel Braslow, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Aug. 2022
Though Malukas’s signing was announced under the pretense of a multi-year deal last fall, the rookie confirmed that not everything is buttoned up with two races left in his rookie season.
—Nathan Brown, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Aug. 2022
Some energy and mining companies have divested coal assets under the pretense of cutting carbon emissions or appeasing shareholders, only to sell them on to owners happy to run them indefinitely.
—Ben Dummett, WSJ, 18 Dec. 2021
In this view, as long as China maintains communist ideals and the CCP dominates Chinese politics and society, Washington must contain China’s technologic advancement and global influence under the pretense of protecting U.S. security.
—Wang Jisi, Foreign Affairs, 23 Nov. 2023
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
After fleeing the building under the pretense of using the bathroom, Nadia reportedly sought medical aid later that day at the Rape Treatment Center (RTC) at UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center.
—Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 16 Sep. 2023
Lured to the Washington, D.C., area on the pretense of a training junket, he was arrested and charged with federal drug crimes before agreeing to cooperate, officials said.
—Tim Golden, ProPublica, 31 Jan. 2024
The report alleges that Weinberg would lure women to his home under the pretense of a photoshoot before assaulting them.
—Samuel Braslow, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Aug. 2022
Though Malukas’s signing was announced under the pretense of a multi-year deal last fall, the rookie confirmed that not everything is buttoned up with two races left in his rookie season.
—Nathan Brown, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Aug. 2022
Some energy and mining companies have divested coal assets under the pretense of cutting carbon emissions or appeasing shareholders, only to sell them on to owners happy to run them indefinitely.
—Ben Dummett, WSJ, 18 Dec. 2021
In this view, as long as China maintains communist ideals and the CCP dominates Chinese politics and society, Washington must contain China’s technologic advancement and global influence under the pretense of protecting U.S. security.
—Wang Jisi, Foreign Affairs, 23 Nov. 2023
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 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share