variants
or pretences
1
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pretensions
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
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Recent Examples of pretenses
Harold is so clearly not a great man that his pretenses feel more like cries for help.
—
Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 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
Since then, immigration raids have escalated — often under questionable pretenses.
—Sonia Banker, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2025
And yet, somewhere in the city, someone is being arrested and detained as an enemy of the state under dodgy pretenses.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Aug. 2025
Personas are pretenses, so keep a clear head accordingly.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025
This may seem to be an inadequate and weak response to a president and governor who are seizing control on false pretenses.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2025
Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 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
Since then, immigration raids have escalated — often under questionable pretenses.
—Sonia Banker, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2025
And yet, somewhere in the city, someone is being arrested and detained as an enemy of the state under dodgy pretenses.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Aug. 2025
Personas are pretenses, so keep a clear head accordingly.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025
This may seem to be an inadequate and weak response to a president and governor who are seizing control on false pretenses.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretenses
Noun
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The show will be available to stream with a regular Hulu subscription Sunday, the day after a new episode airs.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Breakthrough Women in Science & Medicine is streaming online and airs on PBS.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But she is best remembered for Keeping Up Appearances and her role as Hyacinth Bucket, a working-class woman with pretensions of social superiority.—
Ryan Schwartz,
TVLine,
3 Oct. 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 plan also contradicts the Prime Minister’s frequent claims that the Palestinian Authority will have no role in a postwar Gaza.—
Ruth Margalit,
New Yorker,
4 Oct. 2025
-
The judge also questioned the authenticity of Combs’ claims of reform, pointing to his assault of Jane in June 2024.—
Nicki Brown,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Quickly check your cards to see if any of the poses match and be the first to grab the star to win.—
Pamela Brill,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
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Still, because of the unique threats this shutdown poses, this time could be different for markets, too.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
These clubs began hiring brass musicians, and top acts included the Olympia Brass Band, Eureka Brass and the Young Tuxedo Brass.—
Jenny Adams,
CNN Money,
5 Oct. 2025
-
European officials have also been warning about other hybrid threats and suspect Moscow was behind a string of incidents, including the sabotage of an undersea cable, cyberattacks, GPS jamming of civil aviation, and even acts of arson.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Collier excelled on all fronts.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
5 Oct. 2025
-
The basic logic of the drink is, as mentioned, Negroni-like, but more esoteric on a number of fronts.—
Jason O'Bryan,
Robb Report,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Yet most power plants served by those mines plan to quit burning coal altogether within 10 years, an Associated Press data analysis shows.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Then came Wallows musician Dylan Minnette and Mean Girls star Renée Rapp at back-to-back Los Angeles shows.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Out and about German food, brews and bevs, a vendor market, entertainment, cultural performances and traditional yard games.—
Hannah Kirby,
jsonline.com,
1 Oct. 2025
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The festival focuses primarily on handmade Greek food and pastries, with performances by musicians and a variety of dance groups.—
Eric E. Harrison,
Arkansas Online,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretenses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretenses. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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