variants
or pretence
1
as in affectation
the quality or state of appearing or trying to appear more important or more valuable than is the case
she seemed to be a very down-to-earth woman who was completely free of pretense
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in airs
a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive
her display of bravado was just a pretense
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in claim
an entitlement to something
this book on gardening makes no pretense at completeness
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in arrogance
an exaggerated sense of one's importance that shows itself in the making of excessive or unjustified claims
the pretense of that woman in thinking that the other hotel guests should be inconvenienced just for her
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pretense
In the case of Brazil, which now faces a potential 50% levy, the president has abandoned the pretense of using his tariff policy to shore up trade deficits.
—
Garrett Haake, NBC news, 10 July 2025
Over the past several years, numerous individuals have been arrested after allegedly attempting to enter the property under suspicious or false pretenses, in some cases carrying electronic equipment or claiming to have messages for the president.
—Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
Every organization lives on a knife’s edge—between performance and pretense, between coherence and collapse.
—Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Brown was taken into custody on breaking and entering, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, injury to real property, obtaining property by false pretenses, and second-degree trespassing charges.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretense
Garrett Haake, NBC news, 10 July 2025
Over the past several years, numerous individuals have been arrested after allegedly attempting to enter the property under suspicious or false pretenses, in some cases carrying electronic equipment or claiming to have messages for the president.
—Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
Every organization lives on a knife’s edge—between performance and pretense, between coherence and collapse.
—Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Brown was taken into custody on breaking and entering, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, injury to real property, obtaining property by false pretenses, and second-degree trespassing charges.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretense
Noun
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The scenic appeal is undeniable, nature’s majestic prose both frames and dwarfs the tumultuous affectations of the characters.—
Holly Jones,
Variety,
11 Aug. 2025
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From our review: Tessa Van den Broeck, a newcomer, plays Julie with zero affectation.—
The New York Times,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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That money and the total investments from those sums create the large amounts of capital needed to pay claims.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Recently, for example, a parent filed a claim for negligent supervision against the child’s center, because their kid ran into another kid on the playground.—
Beki San Martin,
Freep.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The failure to heed early warnings from experts like Makary and Bhattacharya—now in positions to reshape federal health policy—underscores the arrogance of it all.—
Houman Hemmati,
Oc Register,
20 July 2025
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One of the habits of being trustworthy is being humble, so when assertiveness tips into arrogance this is a red flag for potential clients.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Noun
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The dining room is filled with pretension that keeps the volume whisper-level quiet, but who needs to chat loudly when every bite screams.—
Rafael Peña,
Miami Herald,
23 July 2025
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Caminero’s 19th home run of the first round was the moment all my pretension was stripped away.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
Breaking through as in independent act has never been tougher.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Aug. 2025
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The nostalgia has hit music as well, where TRL-era acts like Backstreet Boys, Nelly, the Goo Goo Dolls and Oasis are all enjoying successful residencies and summer tours.—
Ralphie Aversa,
USA Today,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
His documentation has qualities of absurdism that effectively question human superiority.—
Jonathon Keats,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
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These proud franchises are expected to head a two-team race for NFC East superiority.—
Geoffrey Knox,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Aug. 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
Noun
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Contrary to some assumptions, Republicans have the ability to transform Cleaver's district into a solid Republican seat.—
The NPR Network,
NPR,
14 Aug. 2025
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For years, Fort Worth ISD had asked those staffers to focus on helping teachers improve their teaching skills, with the assumption that better instruction — and, therefore, higher test scores — would follow.—
Silas Allen,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretense. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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