as in to pretend
to take on a false or deceptive appearance
she's not half as innocent as she likes to let on
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of let on
In 2016, during his first presidential campaign, Trump claimed that the unemployment rate was significantly higher than the BLS let on.
—
Matt Egan, CNN Money, 1 Aug. 2025
This episode also serves to shed a more suspicious light on Sophie, who has a history with CPS (Child Protective Services), which implies there's more to her past than she's let on.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 26 July 2025
Even those selling LinkedIn growth expertise aren’t letting on that they’re actually glued to the platform.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
But the mission, dubbed Hail Mary, is far more dire than initially let on — not only is the sun dying, but so are all the stars.
—Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for let on
Matt Egan, CNN Money, 1 Aug. 2025
This episode also serves to shed a more suspicious light on Sophie, who has a history with CPS (Child Protective Services), which implies there's more to her past than she's let on.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 26 July 2025
Even those selling LinkedIn growth expertise aren’t letting on that they’re actually glued to the platform.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
But the mission, dubbed Hail Mary, is far more dire than initially let on — not only is the sun dying, but so are all the stars.
—Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for let on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for let on
pretend
Verb
-
Kids can pretend to be Chase on a case, but there are also other Paw Patrol Halloween costumes, including Marshall, Rocky, Rubble, Skye, Zuma, and Everest.—
Katrina Cossey,
Parents,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Beneath the prosthetics and punchlines lies a story about the cost of pretending and the possibility of renewal.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Let on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/let%20on. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share