1
as in posing
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
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2
as in simulating
to present a false appearance of
as if I would ever pretend illness just to take off a day from work
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in hypocritical
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pretending
Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2025
The version of you who craves connection and harmony gets to co-exist with the one who’s finally ready to stop pretending and speak from the soul.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 19 Oct. 2025
At that point microphones picked up Mahomes pretending to be frustrated.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2025
On Translation Eli Rallo writes about avoiding the OB-GYN, OCD obsessions, and pretending to be okay.
—Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
Trapped at sea On both page and screen, Carrie, the woman pretending to be Anne, lures Laura to the ship’s hold and traps her there.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025
Amina blows her mom a kiss and then flops down in her crib, pretending to be asleep.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Will pretending to be so aggressively, performatively straight lead him to hate his true self?
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2025
Travis replied, jokingly pretending to not get the double meaning of the lyrics.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
There can be no more pretending, briefing or hiding.
—Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Some have been caught encouraging self-harm, giving diet tips for eating disorders or pretending to be romantic partners.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2025
The version of you who craves connection and harmony gets to co-exist with the one who’s finally ready to stop pretending and speak from the soul.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 19 Oct. 2025
At that point microphones picked up Mahomes pretending to be frustrated.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2025
On Translation Eli Rallo writes about avoiding the OB-GYN, OCD obsessions, and pretending to be okay.
—Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
Trapped at sea On both page and screen, Carrie, the woman pretending to be Anne, lures Laura to the ship’s hold and traps her there.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025
Amina blows her mom a kiss and then flops down in her crib, pretending to be asleep.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Will pretending to be so aggressively, performatively straight lead him to hate his true self?
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2025
Travis replied, jokingly pretending to not get the double meaning of the lyrics.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretending
Verb
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Earlier this week, the reality TV star shared photos on Instagram of herself posing in nothing but glitter and a crown.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
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State officials on the front lines of preparing for natural disasters and responding to emergencies say severe cuts to federal security grants, restrictions on money intended for readiness and funding delays tied to litigation are posing a growing risk to their ability to respond to crises.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Simply put, there are complex problems that cannot be solved by classical computers, such as simulating molecules for drug discovery and materials science and optimizing large-scale systems in finance and logistics.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
12 Oct. 2025
-
This resolution strengthens the foundation for simulating reactor behavior and assures designers that graphite will perform its duties as expected.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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However, his latest mistake is very hypocritical and raises some questions about double standards in his coaching.—
Drew VonScio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Most of these hypocritical legislators are near the completion of their involvement in the Capitol thanks to term limits.—
John Moorlach,
Oc Register,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Graziadei, 46, is known for playing Daniel Romalotti in The Young and the Restless.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
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As knowledgeable as Towns is about the infrastructure of the apparel industry, his priority is playing for and training with the New York Knicks.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Western leaders largely dismissed these overt signals, assuming Putin would not be reckless enough to risk crippling sanctions, economic isolation, and a costly war.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Oct. 2025
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Should Duke McDermott or Mariano (assuming the latter two are waived before the season, which seems likely) stick with the Valley Suns for at least 60 days, all will be eligible for bonuses worth up to $85,300.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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For example, the Europeans have been unwilling to confiscate frozen Russian assets to raise more money for Ukraine, earning duplicitous praise from the Kremlin.—
VERONICA ANGHEL,
Foreign Affairs,
16 Sep. 2025
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In Avengers: Endgame (2019), Redford reprised his role as Alexander Pierce, a duplicitous S.H.I.E.L.D. official first introduced in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.—
Hannah Parry
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Jodi Benson sang her daughter Delaney Benson's praises for following in her acting career footsteps while also carving out a name for herself at the same time.—
Nicholas Rice,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
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Her intervention comes amid concerns in the acting community about the creation of Norwood and how avatars like her could ultimately replace lower profile performers.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Travis Kelce is feigning ignorance about that spicy new Taylor Swift track.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretending. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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