Synonyms of pretending

pretending 1 of 2

adjective

as in hypocritical

Related Words

• hypocritical
• duplicitous
• insincere
• posing
• dissimulating
• dissembling
• bluffing
• unscrupulous
• untrustworthy
• unreliable
• equivocating
• unbelievable
• deceptive
• lying
• evasive
• sneaky
• treacherous
• wily
• deceitful
• undependable
• tricky
• sly
• underhanded
• slick
• slippery
• devious
• artful
• untrue
• fallacious
• dishonest
• false
• mendacious
• fibbing
• prevaricating
• untruthful

Dissimilar Words

• honest
• truthful
• direct
• plain
• open
• veracious
• forthcoming
• frank
• outspoken
• true
• candid
• forthright
• believable
• credible
• veritable
• out-front
• plainspoken
• freehearted
• openhearted
• free-spoken
• foursquare

pretending

2 of 2

verb

present participle of pretend

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

• posing
• playing
• acting
• faking
• masquerading
• simulating
• dissembling
• assuming
• dissimulating
• concealing
• making believe
• making a show
• letting on
• impersonating
• feigning
• disguising
• professing
• making out
• making a pretense
• putting on an act
• shamming
• playacting
• putting up a front
• masking
• affecting
• camouflaging
• counterfeiting
• bluffing
• putting on
• feinting

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

• simulating
• assuming
• acting
• feigning
• affecting
• professing
• faking
• bluffing
• posing
• shamming
• passing (for)
• dissembling
• concealing
• counterfeiting
• playing
• forging
• masquerading
• imitating
• putting on
• impersonating
• making believe
• disguising
• camouflaging
• masking
• dissimulating
• playacting
• letting on
• malingering
• feinting

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of pretending

Adjective

There can be no more pretending, briefing or hiding. — Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025

Verb

Smart did not enter pleas to charges of being armed, or pretending to be armed, in a way that may cause fear and with making an unlawful threat. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026

Lee uses this to his advantage, pretending to be a pidgin-speaking Chinese immigrant to protect himself from white people’s suspicion and mistrust. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026

The Brewers have an exceptional amount of talent too, and Murphy's routine of pretending like his team is a bunch of humble farmers who were playing stickball out back a few days ago is absurd and offensive. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026

At the same time, the lawsuits contend that chatbots are pretending to be agreeable and compassionate while preying on the vulnerable and on teenagers, the first generation to grow up with artificial intelligence. — Marc Levy, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026

Below, members of Forbes Coaches Council share strategies to lead teams through change without pretending to have all the answers. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

In a news release, police said that 25-year-old Baldwin Park resident Juan Carlos Amaya contacted the teenage girl via Snapchat and began talking to her while pretending to be 17 years old. — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

There’s an unmistakable impression throughout that this woman… or whatever is pretending to be one… might burn down the house. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026

In his appeal, Juszczyk also argued that fining players for pretending to drink beer was hypocritical given the NFL’s beer sponsorships. — Rick Maese, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2026