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 facade
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 right
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
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Recent Examples of pretense
The overall feel is social without pretense or stuffiness, unmistakably shaped by island life.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Jan. 2026
Trump’s time in office has obliterated the pretense that there’s any meaningful separation between the state and corporate interests.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
Kingstringer and Ledesma were booked into the Contra Costa County Jail on suspicion of grand theft of an animal, theft by false pretenses and conspiracy.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025
There’s no pretense here, just aguachile (my favorite), BYOB and a no frills patio.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretense
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Jan. 2026
Trump’s time in office has obliterated the pretense that there’s any meaningful separation between the state and corporate interests.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
Kingstringer and Ledesma were booked into the Contra Costa County Jail on suspicion of grand theft of an animal, theft by false pretenses and conspiracy.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025
There’s no pretense here, just aguachile (my favorite), BYOB and a no frills patio.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretense
Noun
-
Now, though levees may not exactly be back, royal affectations and the disputes that go with them are.—
Jake Lundberg,
The Atlantic,
7 Jan. 2026
-
That’s probably an affectation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
As for the space itself, Cartier is honoring the building’s history by highlighting the Royal Poinciana’s original façade, a Regency Revival design by architect John Volk (which in 2008 was declared historic by Palm Beach’s Landmark Preservation Commission).—
Laurie Brookins,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Jan. 2026
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Google Cloud is advertising its own event aimed at helping Chinese firms expand globally, with a rare building-sized poster on the facade of a hotel overlooking downtown Beijing’s main thoroughfare.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Honda moves forward, turning to the right.—
Devon Lum,
Twin Cities,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Costco would add one right-in/right-out turn on Idaho 55, another on Hill Road, and a new roundabout on Hill Road, the traffic analysis said.—
Rose Evans
January 8,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach take turns transforming into floating marketplaces — docks converted to catwalks, hulls polished to reflective arrogance, sales reps who can quote fuel burn like yacht owners care about costs.—
Eric Barton,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Jan. 2026
-
College football is awash in problems, including the Big Ten’s unrivaled arrogance, and its never-ending list of demands that would make Notre Dame blush.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Drop the pretension of a late-night club and lean into a space-filled with incredible music and community (and the pleasant glow of daylight).—
Britt Julious,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
-
His pretensions—riding around in a grand coach and continuing the weekly levees—as well as his administration’s notorious effort to enforce deference in the 1798 Sedition Act, fell flat.—
Jake Lundberg,
The Atlantic,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Skechers shoes boast a low-profile silhouette, plus a slip-on design despite their lace-up guise.—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
30 Dec. 2025
-
Approved by The Boss himself, the live-music and storytelling show finds Azaria slipping into his best Springsteen guise for a night of gruff tales and greatest hits.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
24 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Federal officials said Good attempted to drive her vehicle toward agents during the encounter, a claim disputed by family members and some local leaders.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Witnesses and local leaders have contradicted that claim, saying Good was trying to leave and steering away from the agent.—
Michael Abeyta,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Conversely, Taiwan’s adoption of drone technologies and counter-measures reflects a broader global trend in modern warfare where autonomy, numbers, and networked systems can offset traditional military superiority.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
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Despite Barca’s recent dominance and established superiority in terms of history, fanbase and budget, the rivalry between the clubs is fierce.—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
3 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pretense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretense. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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