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

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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

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

In addition to the bribery allegation, Fricker’s complaint calls on Holland to investigate a slew of other claims against Zahnd.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026
The judge sustained objections when the defense tried to get into some of the caller's specific claims.

— Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 22 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

BravesVision’s an option for all three, but Tuesday’s game simulcasts on your local Gray TV station and Thursday’s also airs on FS1.

— Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Hosted by Claudia Winkleman, the new series premieres on October 1 and October 2 on BBC 1 and airs twice a week.

— Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of airs

Noun

People were talking to themselves, doing yoga poses, trying to sleep.

— Anand Giridharadas, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026
The unlikely duo of Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon keynoted a Washington conference to demand a stop to AI, its data centers, and the risks AI poses to jobs and even to the human species.

— Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of poses

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pretense

pretenses

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“Pretenses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretenses. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of pretenses

noun

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