as in pretense
a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive
it was clear to her friends that her reaction to the news was pure playacting
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playacting
Noun
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The two men lured the woman under the pretense of a meeting then beat her to death in the desert because of her gender identity, prosecutors said.—
Maritza Dominguez,
AZCentral.com,
31 July 2025 -
Hoffa's son said the purpose of the meetings was just a pretense to get Hoffa alone to murder him.—
Eric Shawn,
FOXNews.com,
26 July 2025
Noun
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About 75 minutes into the show, the couple opened up about this unique aspect of their relationship.—
Toni Fitzgerald,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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On Succession, Kendall Roy’s sleek Upper East Side triplex at 180 East 88th Street drew widespread attention, while his younger brother Roman Roy’s Chelsea townhouse added to the show’s appealing architectural variety.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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While posing for photos at the event, Princess Charlene was joined by filmmaker Blanca Li, and her sister-in-law Princess Caroline of Hanover, among others.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
31 Mar. 2025
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Artists, designers, stylists, actors and musicians came out from all corners of the industry, posing on the red carpet and dancing to the sounds of Star Amerasu, the evening’s DJ.—
Julissa James,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Meanwhile, on Gran Roque, pastel facades peek through palm fronds, and barefoot locals steer wooden boats across glassy lagoons.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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The facade preservation will precede demolition of the rest of the building, according to a Sheetz news release.—
Nour Rahal,
Freep.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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This prompt gives you enough talking points to contribute thoughtfully without pretending to be an expert.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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Interspersed in the narrative, there are South Asian folktales about a jackal who is punished for pretending to be a king and a foolish man who puts all his eggs in a basket.—
Malaka Gharib,
NPR,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Breaking through as in independent act has never been tougher.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Aug. 2025
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Trump cannot federalize the city’s government without an act of Congress, an amendment to the Home Rule Act.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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When the acting dream started Growing up in Sacramento, Smalls was a three-sport athlete in high school attending West Campus, Rosemont and Foothill in North Highlands.—
Marcus D. Smith,
Sacramento Bee,
25 Mar. 2025
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Right before graduation, Smalls found a two-year program in the William Esper Studio in New York City which teaches acting techniques such as the Meisner Technique.—
Marcus D. Smith,
Sacramento Bee,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Atelier 11 recently launched in its current guise, as Deadline first reported in July.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
8 Aug. 2025
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Even Zara has fallen under the guise of a gentle rebrand.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
5 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Playacting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playacting. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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