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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
And though some words on the menu may be unfamiliar, there’s no pretense at Purslane.
—
Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Al Jazeera Arabic’s power lies in its costume, the pretence of being a legitimate, independent news outlet.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2025
While there is nothing inherently cringe-worthy about enjoying Didion’s Slouching Towards Bethlehem or genuinely liking Clairo’s album, its pretense becomes more marked through the fun-house mirror of Instagram and TikTok.
—Brett F. Braley-Palko, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
They were arraigned on Friday in Brockton District Court on one count each of larceny over $1,200 by false pretenses, embezzlement, and conspiracy.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretense
Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Al Jazeera Arabic’s power lies in its costume, the pretence of being a legitimate, independent news outlet.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2025
While there is nothing inherently cringe-worthy about enjoying Didion’s Slouching Towards Bethlehem or genuinely liking Clairo’s album, its pretense becomes more marked through the fun-house mirror of Instagram and TikTok.
—Brett F. Braley-Palko, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
They were arraigned on Friday in Brockton District Court on one count each of larceny over $1,200 by false pretenses, embezzlement, and conspiracy.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretense
Noun
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The band sets aside the winks and retro affectations for something unadorned and honest.—
Sarah Grant,
Rolling Stone,
19 Aug. 2025
-
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
Noun
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How to watch The Rainmaker live without cable The Rainmaker airs on USA Network, which is available to stream on services like Sling TV.—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The Drew Barrymore Show airs weekdays on CBS.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Trump is a man of many hats Immigration has become the dominant political issue in Britain, eclipsing concerns over a faltering economy, as the country faces a record number of asylum claims.—
Vitalii Yalahuzian,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Consensus estimates suggest that the weekly claims will revert to roughly the four-week average level this week, as the spike last week was primarily due to filings in Texas.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Mitchell prides himself on being a no-nonsense, no-bulls*** kind of man, but his attitude can sometimes come across as arrogance.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
-
This arrogance is not just limited to tech titans.—
Christian Josi,
Boston Herald,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The Chicago Athletic Association offers an elevated members club experience without the steely pretension.—
Kate Kassin,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Such pretensions on the part of the mega-rich aren’t new; Lowell reminds us of that.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The attack was widely condemned in the Middle East and beyond as an act that could escalate tensions in a region already on edge.—
Jarrett Renshaw,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
KPop Demon Hunters transforms loving your favorite artist from a hobby into an act of creation itself.—
Yvonne Kim,
The Atlantic,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Timothy Olyphant, again, sells the superiority well.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
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Originally from Ohio, Howard would whisper-speak his lectures to a crowded room, describing with fatigued superiority people (including his family) who couldn’t properly appreciate Nijinsky.—
Rivka Galchen,
New Yorker,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The eligibility dates for the 2024 Emmy Awards apply to shows that aired between June 1, 2024, and May 31, 2025.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
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My weekend streaming guide is live, so be sure to check that out for some new show and movie ideas.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretense. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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