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
For all the Court’s pretenses—all of its insistence on the rule of law, precedent, and good faith—many critics and supporters of the Roberts Court see the institution as an appendage of the Republican Party.
—
Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026
Garcia-Hernandez was arrested on charges of theft of an elder adult, obtaining money by false pretenses, and attempted grand theft, along with an out-of-county warrant.
—Kassia Bonesteel, CBS News, 4 June 2026
According to Placer Superior Court filings, one false pretenses count and the personal identifying information charge stemmed from a June 21, 2025, incident.
—Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 20 May 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
In the documentary, a man running the shelter, who identified himself as Charles Lubajja, tells the undercover reporters that the shelter exists primarily to make money from social media users abroad under false pretenses.
—Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Maybe Thalia had come to Gilead under false pretenses and gotten caught.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 May 2026
Marks was also charged with obtaining property under false pretenses and misdemeanor larceny.
—Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2026
Authorities said the gun had been purchased under false pretenses in Indiana.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026
Garcia-Hernandez was arrested on charges of theft of an elder adult, obtaining money by false pretenses, and attempted grand theft, along with an out-of-county warrant.
—Kassia Bonesteel, CBS News, 4 June 2026
According to Placer Superior Court filings, one false pretenses count and the personal identifying information charge stemmed from a June 21, 2025, incident.
—Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 20 May 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
In the documentary, a man running the shelter, who identified himself as Charles Lubajja, tells the undercover reporters that the shelter exists primarily to make money from social media users abroad under false pretenses.
—Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Maybe Thalia had come to Gilead under false pretenses and gotten caught.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 May 2026
Marks was also charged with obtaining property under false pretenses and misdemeanor larceny.
—Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2026
Authorities said the gun had been purchased under false pretenses in Indiana.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretenses
Noun
-
The most important stories of Jesus’ life, the Nativity and Passion, are etched into the basilica’s east and west facades.—
Joseph Wilson,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
-
The 18 towers represent different figures from scripture including the apostles, evangelists and Virgin Mary while the three facades depict the life of Jesus along with his death and final judgment.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Surrounded by some of the state capital’s oldest buildings, the Green is where troops once assembled during the American Revolution and where suffragettes campaigned for women’s rights.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
Although Blatter himself was not charged in the investigation, his regime collapsed under the weight of hundreds of millions of dollars in bribes for TV rights and other spoils, and he was soon banned from international football for ethical breaches.—
Chris Jones,
The Atlantic,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Footballing success, in differing guises, came a long time ago.—
Adam Leventhal,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
-
Opponents of affirmative action, who suspect that the process is still continuing under other guises, could seek to replicate the winning strategy of the Harvard and UNC cases, if testing data show large, unexplainable gaps in academic preparation among different student groups.—
Idrees Kahloon,
The Atlantic,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
The amount will depend on the number of valid claims submitted and the amount remaining in the fund after portions are distributed to pay attorneys, expenses and other fees.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
-
Welker asked Trump about his cheating claims.—
Alene Tchekmedyian,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Only a lucky few get to experience one of the most magical natural light shows.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
-
The actor has previously starred in several movies and TV shows — including The Crow, Tom & Jerry, Heavyweight and This Town.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
The British journalist Malcolm Muggeridge, who converted to Christianity late in his life, pointed out that Jesus’s entire ministry was directed against the pretensions of earthly power.—
Peter Wehner,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
-
Adley and his team make great tasting plates first and foremost, but some of the items, like the unmissable chicken wings stuffed with boudin blanc and romesco, act as a cheeky affront to haute cuisine’s pretensions and conventions.—
Colin Wrenn,
Denver Post,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Hosted by Tituss Burgess and Laura Benanti, that earlier ceremony airs on the free network Pluto TV.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
4 June 2026
-
Game 2 of the NBA Finals takes place Friday, June 5, in San Antonio and airs on ESPN.—
Sean Neumann,
PEOPLE,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Deep breathing kicked off the class, followed by modified poses.—
Lisa Shames,
Chicago Tribune,
9 June 2026
-
Some of yoga’s most familiar poses are the warrior asanas, derived from Hindu mythology.—
Paula Chesley,
STAT,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pretenses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretenses. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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