1
as in to pose
to take on a false or deceptive appearance
I pretended that I didn't care that my ex had a new man in her life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to assume
to present a false appearance of
as if I would ever pretend illness just to take off a day from work
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in faux
being such in appearance only and made with or manufactured from usually cheaper materials
if you were to see the movie's pretend jewels in real life, you wouldn't be fooled for a minute
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in imaginary
not real and existing only in the imagination
it's just a pretend gun, so please pretend that I got you and play dead
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pretend
Arpon Basu, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Apparently, someone somehow got access to Sanders's phone which was only supposed to receive calls from NFL general managers, and the person pretended to be Saints GM Mickey Loomis.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
The Learning Resources Calculator Cash Register includes 30 pretend bills, 40 plastic coins, a pretend credit card, and more.
—Katrina Cossey, Parents, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretend
Verb
Wilson was captured by TV cameras mocking the Canadiens by pretending to cry.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Apparently, someone somehow got access to Sanders's phone which was only supposed to receive calls from NFL general managers, and the person pretended to be Saints GM Mickey Loomis.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Bradford then pops Welch's pretend belly waking her up from that dream.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
The Learning Resources Calculator Cash Register includes 30 pretend bills, 40 plastic coins, a pretend credit card, and more.
—Katrina Cossey, Parents, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretend
Verb
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Visitors pose at the site of Osaka’s 1970 World Expo, now a park.—
Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
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Especially in the restaurant’s early weeks, Cooper was regularly in the kitchen, working the grill with vigor, occasionally breaking to pose for selfies.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Many professionals enter the tech space assuming their success in structured environments will seamlessly translate into building and scaling a startup, guaranteed.—
Lola Eniolorunda,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
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There’s a lot of reason to like these odds as Raphinha is averaging 3.68 shots per 90 minutes on the year, 0.15 xG per shot (well above average), and will likely assume penalty duties in the absence of Lewandowski.—
Brett Koremenos,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Push your chairs and couches together to create a faux sectional look.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Apr. 2025
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And while both traditional and faux leather-making processes involve chemicals, PVC can release pollutants and toxic chemicals.—
Gia Yetikyel,
Vogue,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
This means flopping through different symbolic rooms of an imaginary house — a schtick that Danielle Deadwyler also had to do for the same reason in The Woman in the Yard, a movie that might still be playing when Thunderbolts* hits the cineplex.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
29 Apr. 2025
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The deeper themes about race and history and culture, as well as the sheer terror and excitement, all feed audiences craving to confront our demons and fears, but in a safe imaginary setting – all the more important when those fears increasingly stalk the daytime for so many people.—
Mark Hughes,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Vick had a career-high 540 yards rushing in 1988 and played only four NFL seasons.—
Jim Reineking,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
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How Nvidia plays export whack-a-mole Culture champion.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
And a third category were boxes outfitted with plastic plants, perhaps signaling absentee owners or landlords who seek to simulate care.—
Sonja Dümpelmann,
The Conversation,
24 Apr. 2025
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These virtual personas simulate how different customer segments might react to new products, pricing changes or marketing campaigns, allowing businesses to test strategies before launching them to real consumers.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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With digital platforms flooded with bots and fake numbers, Kerns built his following and client base by offering true engagement, authority, and working systems.—
Rhiannon Frater,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
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Swatting is when a 911 call is made, usually to report a fake violent crime, to get police and sometimes even SWAT teams, to respond to the address given by the caller.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
It’s been a full decade since Poot Lovato had her last taste of freedom — and according to Demi Lovato, the hilarious, fictitious alter ego is staying locked up for many decades more.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
22 Apr. 2025
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Officers of the court have a duty of candor to the court and an obligation not to file fictitious lawsuits that have no basis in fact or law.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretend. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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