pretenses

noun

variants or pretences
plural of pretense
1
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
2
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 Acting on flimsy pretenses, Bianco arranged in February for the seizure of hundreds of thousands of Proposition 50 ballots, questioning the integrity of the election months after the fact. — Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026 Shirley has since visited other states in the US under similar pretenses, showing up unannounced to grocery stores and hospice centers in search of evidence of fraud. — Mia Sato, The Verge, 20 Oct. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretenses
  1. facades
  2. rights
  3. guises
  4. claims
  5. shows
  6. pretensions
  7. airs
  8. poses
Noun
  • Its glassy face leans into a zigzag pattern across its facades and from some angles looks like a retro video game.
    — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The 16-acre complex of SCAD Savannah Film Studios added new professional soundstages and more than 50 backlot facades and practical interiors to Savannah’s production landscape.
    — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of facades
Noun
  • Historic run for governor By April 2025 Bottoms was ready to run again—this time for governor, a position that voting rights activist Stacey Abrams had sought but lost in 2018 and 2022.
    — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The Veterans will represent the international sales rights, with CAA Media Finance handling the United States.
    — Jack Dunn, Variety, 6 Nov. 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
  • Lara faced intense scrutiny and criticism during his eight years in office from Californians frustrated by rising prices, fewer options and how their claims were handled.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Trump endorsed Collins for the Republican nomination in a state where the president anchored his false claims that his 2020 defeat was rigged.
    — Bill Barrow, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of claims
Noun
  • In the past, daytime and late-night shows weren’t considered subject to the rule, but Carr has said differently.
    — Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
  • In any case, theatrical releases or (re-releases) of popular TV shows are all gravy for cinema operators, who are enjoying the biggest year at the box office since the onset of the pandemic.
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of shows
Noun
  • The author behind the singular Elizabeth Zott returns with ‘Peck & Peck,’ a sharp, charming satire on the pretensions and perils of literary gatekeepers.
    — Leigh Haber, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Their trading volume, political influence and public profiles have expanded — as have their pretensions.
    — W. Joseph Campbell, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of pretensions
Noun
  • Her work there earned her a Gotham TV Award nomination; Season 2 of The Studio airs next year.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The tournament, while not officially sanctioned as an ATP event, features some of the top players in the world vying for millions of dollars and airs live on Netflix.
    — Mark Osborne, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of airs
Noun
  • But Chomet and Soumache tell Variety that the film was created using traditional 2D animation techniques, with the characters, backgrounds and key poses drawn by artists.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Through their poses, with his father resting and his mother assuming a more assertive role, Liu wanted to reflect their changing dynamic.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of poses

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pretense
pretenses
pretension
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Cite this Entry

“Pretenses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretenses. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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