as in hypocritical
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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
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pretending
Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 17 May 2026
With the war’s turbulence on the economy more prevalent and the internet now throttled, Russians no longer have the luxury of pretending the war in Ukraine isn’t happening.
—Daniel Depetris, Twin Cities, 15 May 2026
Prosecutors say the men tried again unsuccessfully at the San Jose home, first pretending to be professional power washers, then returning two days later and hitting the victim in the head with a gun.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
All of this nonsense could be avoided if the schools stopped pretending there’s any difference between their paying an athlete directly versus outsourcing it to someone else.
—Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 13 May 2026
Herbert's not going through the motions and pretending to be a relationship with a pop singer like some aging tight end.
—Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026
Washington state’s House Bill 2225, due to come into effect in January 2027, will explicitly ban manipulative techniques such as excessive praise, pretending to feel distress, encouraging isolation from family, or creating overdependent relationships.
—IEEE Spectrum, 6 May 2026
Online adult platforms are being severely restricted these days as new laws banning materials involving adults pretending to be under 18 are put into place.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 3 May 2026
Other highlights from the show included a sketch where Rodrigo and Ben Marshall played a pair of exes pretending to be in new relationships, as well as the latest edition of a recurring sketch about Shop TV hosts selling a product that looks very inappropriate.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 3 May 2026
Adjective
There can be no more pretending, briefing or hiding.
—Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
The two initially make a deal where Hannah exchanges free tutoring lessons for Garrett pretending to be her boyfriend, making her crush jealous.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 17 May 2026
With the war’s turbulence on the economy more prevalent and the internet now throttled, Russians no longer have the luxury of pretending the war in Ukraine isn’t happening.
—Daniel Depetris, Twin Cities, 15 May 2026
Prosecutors say the men tried again unsuccessfully at the San Jose home, first pretending to be professional power washers, then returning two days later and hitting the victim in the head with a gun.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
All of this nonsense could be avoided if the schools stopped pretending there’s any difference between their paying an athlete directly versus outsourcing it to someone else.
—Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 13 May 2026
Herbert's not going through the motions and pretending to be a relationship with a pop singer like some aging tight end.
—Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026
Washington state’s House Bill 2225, due to come into effect in January 2027, will explicitly ban manipulative techniques such as excessive praise, pretending to feel distress, encouraging isolation from family, or creating overdependent relationships.
—IEEE Spectrum, 6 May 2026
Online adult platforms are being severely restricted these days as new laws banning materials involving adults pretending to be under 18 are put into place.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 3 May 2026
Other highlights from the show included a sketch where Rodrigo and Ben Marshall played a pair of exes pretending to be in new relationships, as well as the latest edition of a recurring sketch about Shop TV hosts selling a product that looks very inappropriate.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 3 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretending
Adjective
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The lawsuit also alleged Cameron’s actions were hypocritical of his films’ messaging and detailed public backlash Cameron and the films faced for its depictions of Native groups.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
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Seems extremely hypocritical, no?—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In England, the Women’s Super League’s commitment is attracting more and more talent to England, and at some point, Spain’s lack of investment in women’s football, not the club, will end up posing a problem for Barca — as seen in Arsenal’s triumph in the final over the Spanish side last year.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
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Pratt spent most of his two hours at the Hyde Park block party talking and posing for photos with the hundred or so people who showed up.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2026
Verb
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And simulating Paul Baran’s idea became Sharla’s job.—
Laura Isensee,
Scientific American,
18 May 2026
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That point was acknowledged immediately with the title track – not played since 2009 – opening the show as motion-simulating video tilted and zipped through a vibrant carnival.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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Also on the call sheet is Kathryn Hahn, hailed for her recent works in Agatha All Along and The Studio, and who is playing the duplicitous Mother Gothel.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
1 May 2026
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After backing out of an agreement to trade first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 for Crosby, DeCosta was decried as dishonorable, dirty and duplicitous, especially after Baltimore signed another accomplished edge rusher, Trey Hendrickson, to a free-agent deal the following day.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Marcus tries to balance pushing Nick to keep playing while knowing his older brother has to do what’s best for him and his family.—
Joe Smith,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
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Things get clubbier in the basement Music Room, all red velvet with an indoor-outdoor bar for smokers and a modelesque DJ playing pumping house on our visit.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 May 2026
Verb
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Put simply, Wembanyama is built for the SportsCenter Top 10, assuming that still exists.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
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But gone are the days of assuming good actors rule the roost when bad action can be quicker, easier, and more lucrative.—
Will Johnson,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Adjective
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Sybiha said Russia’s actions exposed its calls for a separate ceasefire around May 9 as insincere.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
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As soon as Talarico’s primary victory over Jasmine Crockett was certain, conservatives called on those remarks and others to swiftly and uniformly deride his Christianity as blasphemous and insincere.—
Elizabeth Bruenig,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Rousey left the sport after consecutive losses, while Carano moved on to an acting career after taking her first loss.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
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These themes emerged out of conversations Dusabejambo had with these actual women, traumatized and/or guilty, before casting them in the film despite no acting experience.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pretending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretending. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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