pretenders

noun

plural of pretender
as in frauds
one who makes false claims of identity or expertise it turns out that the guy who claimed to work for a modeling agency was just a pretender

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 pretenders The schedule is forgivable, even by ACC standards, but a rematch on the road against Notre Dame will separate the Canes as contenders or pretenders. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026 Now, hardship seems to be an end in itself, a battle scar or badge of honor that distinguishes true backpackers from mere pretenders. — Tim Brinkhof, Time, 4 May 2026 These two pretenders reflect an insider debate whose subject is not the existence of the Islamic Republic but the best method of its survival. — Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2026 The Cult of the Beaver has to fend off pretenders. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 13 Jan. 2026 Momentum hardens, vulnerabilities are exposed and the gap between contenders and pretenders is out in the open. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 7 Jan. 2026 With the monetary system in a free-fall, some Iranians would rather have a beneficent king than all these pretenders oh-so-interested in the people. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026 The Patriots are contenders, the Bears pretenders. — Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2025 Discernment in separating potential winners from the pretenders is a positive, if sometimes manic and messy, process. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretenders
  1. frauds
  2. fakes
  3. shams
  4. charlatans
  5. impostors
  6. fakers
Noun
  • In 2018, Modi was accused by Indian authorities of orchestrating one of the country’s largest bank frauds in modern history.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • In 2024, Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison for orchestrating what prosecutors have called one of the biggest financial frauds in American history.
    — Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of frauds
Noun
  • The Institute assists some 2,700 museums, libraries, and archival organizations, and, in this case, assisted the Ontario Provincial Police, exposing fakes and ultimately testifying for the prosecution in the trial of one of the fraudsters.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The second-round pass rusher made aggressive mistakes, falling twice for option fakes and overrunning a screen pass early.
    — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of fakes
Noun
  • Filling Decorative Pillow Shams Decorative pillow shams in guest bedrooms that get little use offer an easy way to repurpose old towels.
    — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Linen bedding can get costly fast, but this quilt set comes in at under $200—and includes matching shams.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of shams
Noun
  • Ours is not a society that loathes charlatans; look who’s running things.
    — Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026
  • In place of San Francisco’s decaying arts bohemia of poseurs and charlatans, they can be said to be creating an alternate bohemia.
    — Michael Bernick, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of charlatans
Noun
  • Few imposters have been quite as easy to spot as Terran Empire Spock, however, whose trademark goatee is something of a giveaway.
    — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Players get points for correctly calling out imposters, or remaining undetected as impostors.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of impostors
Noun
  • To tell the truly venomous from the fakers, there are a couple details to help distinguish the two.
    — Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of fakers

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Cite this Entry

“Pretenders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretenders. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of pretenders for Spanish Speakers

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