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made a pretense

phrase

past tense of make a pretense
as in pretended
to take on a false or deceptive appearance He didn't even make a pretense of appreciating her artwork.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for made a pretense
made a show
Phrase
  • In the summer of 2025, immigration agents, dressed in tactical gear and riding on horses and in armored vehicles, made a show of force through MacArthur Park trying to strike fear into the immigrant community.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Auction sales topped $100 million last year, records have tumbled, and Christie’s and Sotheby’s have both made a show of the category in London this summer.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of made a show
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.

Browse Nearby Words

made amends (for)
made a pretense
made a scene
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Made a pretense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/made%20a%20pretense. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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