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

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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 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 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 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

The team says the material could eventually be used in energy recovery ventilation, building facades, thermal comfort systems and other building applications.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026
The bakery first opened at a location across the street in 1894, with the year emblazoned on the historic building’s facades.

— Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of facades

Noun

For families who believe their child's rights were violated based on race, disability, or gender in school, the federal agency often has been one of the main places to turn.

— Claire Sibonney, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
The entry of streaming services such as Amazon, Apple and Netflix have only increased the rights fees.

— Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of rights

Noun

Plans on the table include competitive gaming showcases, community programs for creators, fan meet-ups and concert-style shows featuring K-pop acts.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Some of those rescued are covered in mud and appear injured after being battered by the flood, one video shows.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of shows

Noun

The genre, with its sanitized storylines and Oscar-baiting pretensions, seems fundamentally at odds with the iconoclastic chef and television personality.

— Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026
Like Paul Schrader’s 1982 version of the latter, this is an upscale genre piece whose pretensions towards Art are upfront, starting with a quotation from no less than Schopenhauer.

— Dennis Harvey, Variety, 30 July 2026

Definition of pretensions

Noun

McAfee is expected to continue his daily talk show that airs on ESPN and other platforms.

— Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
The ad airs as Hinojosa, a state lawmaker, has aggressively looked to exploit an undercurrent of discontent in rural, Republican strongholds over data centers’ perceived threat to rural life, ranchland and dwindling water supplies.

— Marc Levy, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of airs

Noun

The crowd points their phones at the pair, who are alternating between short dances, rhythmic movements, and striking poses.

— Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
In the campaign, Pugh poses wrapped in one of the brand’s camel coats in a minimalist room in front of the camera of Mario Sorrenti, who has a long-standing relationship with the fashion company.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of poses

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“Pretenses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretenses. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of pretenses

noun

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