PRETENCES Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

pretenses

noun

variants or pretences

plural of pretense

as in facades

a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive her display of bravado was just a pretense

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in rights

an entitlement to something this book on gardening makes no pretense at completeness

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of pretenses Conference expansion has shattered pretenses to regional coherence. — Geraldo L. Cadava, The Atlantic, 19 Sep. 2026 The strategic mistake of invading Iraq on false pretenses was then compounded by tactical errors. — Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 Johnson created the story of Nancy (Emilia Jones), who is not a girlfriend, but a crush who Bourdain foolhardily (and under false pretenses) follows to Provincetown after not getting a writing fellowship. — Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 6 Aug. 2026 Trimpey also faces a felony charge of obtaining money by false pretenses. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026 At school, Jin’s oldest daughter, Jane, teams up with a Black classmate, one of few, to expose their neighbors’ prejudices and pretenses. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 Fernando Navarro, 53, of Minneapolis, is facing four counts of felony fraud for collecting nearly $70,000 in funds from Minnesota's medical assistance program under false pretenses. — Riley Moser, CBS News, 23 June 2026 However, according to Ryan, Hernandez was a fraud, allegedly seeking money under false pretenses. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 18 June 2026 Officials allege the group sold the oil under false pretenses and used the profits to sustain and expand the original food fraud scheme. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretenses

Noun

Suzhou MoCA Curved glass and warm-toned stainless steel have been used across the structure and its facades.

— Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2026
Pastel Colonial buildings lined the streets, their facades glowing in the afternoon sun, while the plazas hummed with life.

— Chantelle Kincy, Travel + Leisure, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of facades

Noun

Its winner, whether filmmaker or rights holder, will give the platform an exclusive license to show the film for a limited period.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026
Citizenship-for-investment programs go further, offering more rights and a passport that opens doors abroad.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of rights

Noun

Throughout the weekend, Dudamel embraced the worlds of Hollywood, Latin music in many guises and old-fashioned rock.

— Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
With their traditional, legacy rivals — the Manchester clubs, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur — in various guises of transition, Arsenal are suddenly the team to beat and the Emirates is suddenly a library of sound; noise please.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of guises

Noun

The protests were widely broadcast on state media, in sharp contrast to Assad’s days, when state television peddled disinformation to discredit them, including claims that the protests were staged from faraway studios in Qatar.

— Tala Alrajjal, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026
Disruptions that cascade across siloed departments generate redundant labor costs, spoiled cargo commitments, maintenance penalties and compensation claims.

— Abha Dogra, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of claims

Noun

Pisces, the lakeside seafood restaurant, gives you a front-row seat at the Lake of Dreams and its sporadic and fun evening shows.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2026
After Dukes, Booke appeared on dozens of shows, including Newhart and Full House, and in stage productions.

— Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of shows

Noun

Their trading volume, political influence and public profiles have expanded — as have their pretensions.

— W. Joseph Campbell, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026
Anyone can join this adventure, this surge of solidarity through collective prayer for our world, to put a stop to all the pretensions of evil.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of pretensions

Noun

The framework’s third prong responds to the unique dangers AI poses to children.

— Matt Post, Baltimore Sun, 1 Oct. 2026
The video is analyzed for quality—Birdbuddy looks for clips with good poses and exposure, pulls out a few still images from the video, and sends it to the app as a Postcard.

— Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of poses

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“Pretenses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretenses. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of pretenses

noun

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