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
  • This allows energy-harvesting technology to be integrated directly into architectural elements, such as skyscraper facades, glass windows, and skylights.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 26 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
  • But then came the deal put together by FIFA President Gianni Infantino to create an entity to handle the world soccer organization’s commercial enterprises, including ticket sales, broadcast and sponsorship rights.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The government will expand foreigners’ rights to develop real estate in Cuba.
    — Rick Jervis, USA Today, 30 Aug. 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
  • The ads’ claims of calamity are certain to be contested by the union backing the tax, SEIU United Healthworkers West.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Asked to defend those claims on live TV, the candidate chose to talk ticket prices instead.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of claims
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
  • Episode one of the eight-episode season airs November 1 on HBO Max.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026
  • With performer lineup updates rolling out throughout August, there's now a clearer picture of what viewers can expect when the live broadcast airs September 3 from the Starlite Auditorium in Marbella, Spain.
    — Veronica Villafañe, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of airs
Noun
  • Environmental and consumer advocacy groups called the agreement a step in the right direction, but cautioned that regulators still have work to do to mitigate the risk the data center gold rush poses to residential ratepayers.
    — Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • 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
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 1 Sep. 2026.

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