pretenses

noun

variants or pretences
plural of pretense
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

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
  1. facades
  2. rights
  3. guises
  4. claims
  5. shows
  6. pretensions
  7. airs
  8. poses
Noun
  • The changing colors in Blue Sea Sky draw inspiration from its surroundings, including the blue ocean waters, green palm fronds, orange sunsets, and pink Art Deco neon facades.
    — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The color palette is said to have been inspired by the lagoon and mixed with inspiration from Venice’s marble facades, plasterwork and architecture through the use of celadon greens, soft blues, terracotta, ochre and powder pink.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of facades
Noun
  • The proliferation of earlier kickoffs nationwide due to TV media rights deals adds a complex layer to this early-season situation.
    — Christopher Kamrani, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • So this Labor Day, let’s celebrate Florida’s commitment to workers’ rights.
    — Mark Mix, Sun Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of rights
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
  • When approached for comment by The Athletic, DHS disputed Pourrain’s claims about the facility’s conditions.
    — Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Rudin had stepped away from producing in 2021, after a Hollywood Reporter story detailed multiple claims from Rudin’s former employees of bullying and verbal abuse as well as throwing objects at staff.
    — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of claims
Noun
  • Scripps also has dedicated studio shows for the WNBA and NWSL.
    — Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Some have already signed with top Hollywood agencies and received offers for reality shows, podcasts, brand deals and more, turning their digital followings into business empires.
    — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 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
  • Lainey Wilson will return to the role of CMA Awards host when Country Music’s Biggest Night airs live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on November 18.
    — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2026
  • It’s long ceased to be a neighborhood that puts on airs, an attitude that liberates us all tonight.
    — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of airs
Noun
  • In the photos, the mother-daughter duo poses in casual looks.
    — Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The black and red T, which the actress wore as a minidress sans pants, showcased the superhero in one of his signature poses.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of poses

Browse Nearby Words

pretense
pretenses
pretension
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Cite this Entry

“Pretenses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretenses. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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