variants
or pretences
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
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Recent Examples of pretenses
The adults were arrested on suspicion of theft from an elder, theft by false pretenses, conspiracy, contracting without a license and other offenses.
—
Tim Fang, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
Yet even as Starbucks attempts to refocus on coffee by moving away from desserts masquerading as drinks, newer chains are making no pretenses about selling beverages that can easily tide someone over through a mealtime or two.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026
She is also charged with one count of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult of between $1,000 and $20,000 and one count of false pretenses of between $1,000 and $20,000.
—Paul Egan, Freep.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Toronto might be considered the New York City of Canada, but Bo Bichette is under no pretenses that playing for the Blue Jays is comparable to playing for one of the baseball teams in the Big Apple.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
Aurora Municipal Court Judge Brian Whitney issued an order last year pausing more than 300 cases in which attorneys challenged issues under the same pretenses as those before the Supreme Court.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 16 Jan. 2026
They were booked into Contra Costa County jail on charges of grand theft of an animal, theft by false pretenses and conspiracy.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025
The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime said in a May report that women from more than 20 African countries had been recruited under false pretences to make drones for Russia’s war.
—Reuters 16 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
The audience meets Charles, who is completing yet another stint in jail, this time for false pretenses and evading arrest.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025
Tim Fang, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
Yet even as Starbucks attempts to refocus on coffee by moving away from desserts masquerading as drinks, newer chains are making no pretenses about selling beverages that can easily tide someone over through a mealtime or two.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026
She is also charged with one count of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult of between $1,000 and $20,000 and one count of false pretenses of between $1,000 and $20,000.
—Paul Egan, Freep.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Toronto might be considered the New York City of Canada, but Bo Bichette is under no pretenses that playing for the Blue Jays is comparable to playing for one of the baseball teams in the Big Apple.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
Aurora Municipal Court Judge Brian Whitney issued an order last year pausing more than 300 cases in which attorneys challenged issues under the same pretenses as those before the Supreme Court.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 16 Jan. 2026
They were booked into Contra Costa County jail on charges of grand theft of an animal, theft by false pretenses and conspiracy.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025
The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime said in a May report that women from more than 20 African countries had been recruited under false pretences to make drones for Russia’s war.
—Reuters 16 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
The audience meets Charles, who is completing yet another stint in jail, this time for false pretenses and evading arrest.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretenses
Noun
-
Vivid blues, yellows and reds make the brick facades along West 18th Street pop.—
Madeline King,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The west and south facades would be restored, while the rest is a modern building designed by Carrier Johnson + Culture.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Age-verification laws are a clear violation of the First Amendment rights of Americans, as the district courts in both Mississippi and Ohio have already concluded.—
Agustina Vergara Cid,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Laporta responded to the crisis by deciding Barcelona could no longer afford Messi, who left for Paris Saint-Germain, and selling off some club assets, including 25% of its Spanish league TV rights for the next 25 years.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This moment will come in many guises.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Both marques returned to the competition this year in new guises.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In Corpus’ lawsuit against the county, San Mateo County Superior Court ruled last year that the county waived its privilege claims over Cordell’s billing records by publicly releasing her report — which contained her findings and impressions of witnesses.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Pakistan also rejected those claims.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The three-week experiment marks a turning point for the 10-year-old brand, which has built a loyal following through accessible prices and high-touch customer initiatives, including client trunk shows.—
Maliha Shoaib,
Vogue,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The additional shows will push the veteran metal band even further into 2027, with new the latest dates slated for March 4 & 6 and March 11 & 13.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
By the early 1950s, many clerics had come to see the Pahlavi monarchy, for all its secular pretensions, as a manageable partner.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The war with Ukraine has revealed the yawning gap between Russia’s pretensions and its capabilities.—
George F. Will,
Washington Post,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Episodes six and seven drop on March 18, while the finale airs on March 25.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The contest airs on MSG and FDSIN.—
Data Skrive,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The actress struck several swanky poses on the red carpet, evoking old Hollywood glamour.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Big expense The link between lower incomes and higher smoking poses quite a conundrum.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pretenses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretenses. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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