1
as in mock
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
he shows a pretended affection for his girlfriend's cat
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fake
not being or expressing what one appears to be or express
hoped that his pretended interest in classical music would impress the boss
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in posed
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
2
as in assumed
to present a false appearance of
as if I would ever pretend illness just to take off a day from work
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pretended
Helen Shaw, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2022
What most activates Dunn’s rage is the misogyny that only deepened amid all the pretended freedoms of the counterculture.
—Sam Sacks, WSJ, 11 Nov. 2022
No, seriously: People were very upset by these shoes, or at least pretended to be.
—Heather Wilhelm, National Review, 31 Aug. 2017
Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
Josef and Rosemarie raised three of Elisabeth's children, who Josef pretended Elisabeth left on their doorstep, while Elisabeth was forced to raise three of her children in a locked underground compound without windows.
—Jessica Sager, People.com, 1 Mar. 2025
Morant then put the imaginary grenade to his mouth, pretended to pull the pin by biting it, and tossed it.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025
For one YouTube video, Piper pretended to break her leg and have a stroke and was carried away in a fake ambulance.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
Rick, who pretended to be a film producer to weasel his way into the home of Jim and Sritala (Lek Patravadi) and confront Jim over potentially murdering his father.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 4 Apr. 2025
In the prank, Nephew Tommy pretended that his organization lost funding due to Crockett’s viral clapbacks.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Davis then shot Harmony in the head and also shot her 10-year-old sister, who suffered a non-fatal bullet wound and pretended to be dead until long after Davis left the residence, according to police.
—Chris Spargo, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025
There have been numerous cases in which criminals have pretended to work for a police department and forged court orders and emergency requests to pilfer personal information that could be used to locate, stalk or harass individuals.
—Thomas Brewster, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
The woman is long gone, so Freer has to imagine her consent — in a history so full of gaps, coercion, and disappearance, a pretended connection is better than none at all.
—Helen Shaw, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2022
What most activates Dunn’s rage is the misogyny that only deepened amid all the pretended freedoms of the counterculture.
—Sam Sacks, WSJ, 11 Nov. 2022
No, seriously: People were very upset by these shoes, or at least pretended to be.
—Heather Wilhelm, National Review, 31 Aug. 2017
Verb
The newly vegan sister-in-law then called the caterer and pretended to be the bride, adding five new vegan options and approving a $1,500 charge.
—Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
Josef and Rosemarie raised three of Elisabeth's children, who Josef pretended Elisabeth left on their doorstep, while Elisabeth was forced to raise three of her children in a locked underground compound without windows.
—Jessica Sager, People.com, 1 Mar. 2025
Morant then put the imaginary grenade to his mouth, pretended to pull the pin by biting it, and tossed it.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025
For one YouTube video, Piper pretended to break her leg and have a stroke and was carried away in a fake ambulance.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
Rick, who pretended to be a film producer to weasel his way into the home of Jim and Sritala (Lek Patravadi) and confront Jim over potentially murdering his father.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 4 Apr. 2025
In the prank, Nephew Tommy pretended that his organization lost funding due to Crockett’s viral clapbacks.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Davis then shot Harmony in the head and also shot her 10-year-old sister, who suffered a non-fatal bullet wound and pretended to be dead until long after Davis left the residence, according to police.
—Chris Spargo, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025
There have been numerous cases in which criminals have pretended to work for a police department and forged court orders and emergency requests to pilfer personal information that could be used to locate, stalk or harass individuals.
—Thomas Brewster, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretended
Adjective
-
In a recent mock draft, Baseball America speculated the Sox would select Florida State left-hander Jamie Arnold if the run on prep shortstops left him on the board.—
Phil Rogers,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
-
This time, he was invited to continue in the selection process, which included another test over Zoom with about 30 other hopeful applicants, a personality interview and a virtual mock game.—
Nour Rahal,
Freep.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
There’s a massive global scam operation that uses real payment methods on fake checkout pages.—
Kim Komando The Kim Komando Show,
FOXNews.com,
12 July 2025
-
Additional increases in the quantity and quality of weapons sent to Ukraine would underpin that message and would have a better chance than anything else of persuading Putin to replace fake negotiations with the real thing.—
The Editors,
National Review,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
When Newcastle received an influx of cash from a sovereign wealth fund, fans assumed a legion of superstars would lead them to Champions League glory.—
Brett Koremenos,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Landry said early release, which until now has been typically assumed when judges hand down sentences, is a slap in the face to crime victims.—
Richard A. Webster,
ProPublica,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
On this track, he and FOLA trade lines seamlessly and effortlessly, with the young singer fitting right in on the emotional track about a strained relationship that both sides are trying to save.—
Heran Mamo,
Billboard,
30 June 2025
-
The country’s Transitional Presidential Council also adopted a resolution authorizing the involvement of a controversial force, the Protected Areas Security Brigade, to fight gangs despite the agency’s strained relationships with the Haiti National Police.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
The soundtrack that accompanied her film A Star Is Born, which is credited to the singer-songwriter as well as Bradley Cooper, was certified double platinum back in 2019.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
The unfortunate frame began with a Davis Schneider double, which knocked Carlos Rodón out of the game.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
Prosecutors concluded that the landlord acted in self-defense.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
12 Apr. 2025
-
Lori also acted as Cameron’s agent for purposes of the ticket that permitted Cameron to enter the game.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The experiments were conducted in a wind tunnel that simulated hovering flight conditions, with researchers focusing on accurately discerning wind directions during tethered flapping.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Dec. 2024
-
Depending on the intensity, duration and sequence of those vibrations, sensations such as being tapped, stroked or squeezed can be simulated.—
Ben Coxworth,
New Atlas,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration report said that driver also made a false report related to hours of service.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 July 2025
-
His claims are false and do not reflect accountability for the impact of his actions on the community.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretended. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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