pretends; pretended; pretending
1
: to act as if something is true when it is not true
She pretended (that) she didn't care what other people said about her.
I'm going to pretend (that) we never had this conversation.
He had a big stain on his shirt, but I pretended not to notice.
The children pretended to be asleep.
She pretended to be angry. = She pretended (that) she was angry.
He pretended to be blind. = He pretended [=(more commonly) feigned] blindness.
I don't pretend to have all the answers. [=I don't claim that I have all the answers]
(formal) He was pretending an emotion he really couldn't feel.
I don't like having to pretend. = I don't like pretending.
She looked like she was enjoying the party but she was just pretending.
It was a mistake, and to pretend otherwise would be foolish.
2
: to imagine and act out (a particular role, situation, etc.)
Pretend (that) I'm your boss. What would you say?
The children were pretending to be animals.
He pretended to make a phone call.
Let's just pretend for a moment. I'm your boss. What would you say to me?
informal
: not real : imaginary
The little girl has a pretend [=make-believe] friend.
The children played on a pretend train.
Cite this Entry
“Pretend.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/pretend. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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