as in hypocritical
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Dissimilar Words
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
Bennett Conlin, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2026
Dayle’s satirical novel follows a white flag-bearer pretending to be a Black soldier during the Civil War.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
On Wednesday—April Fools’ Day—an account on X/Twitter pretending to be the 193-year-old tortoise's veterinarian claimed that Jonathan had died.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 2 Apr. 2026
Charlie is pretending to have read the novel that Emma (Zendaya), seated at the window counter, is immersed in.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026
In recent years, the FBI has warned about criminals pretending to be law enforcement agents, federal officials and even employees of the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2026
The characters don’t know, and the real-life writing staff, Fogelman seems to suggest, won’t insult our intelligence by pretending to.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 30 Mar. 2026
But requiring all 3- or 4-year-olds to participate in a public preschool program or pretending that child care will produce better outcomes for all children doesn’t hold up to the data.
—Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
But requiring all 3- or 4-year-olds to participate in a public preschool program or pretending that child care will produce better outcomes for all children doesn’t hold up to the data.
—Abby McCloskey, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
There can be no more pretending, briefing or hiding.
—Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
After the shot missed wildly, mascots rushed the floor pretending the deep 3-pointer went through the net.
—Bennett Conlin, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2026
Dayle’s satirical novel follows a white flag-bearer pretending to be a Black soldier during the Civil War.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
On Wednesday—April Fools’ Day—an account on X/Twitter pretending to be the 193-year-old tortoise's veterinarian claimed that Jonathan had died.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 2 Apr. 2026
Charlie is pretending to have read the novel that Emma (Zendaya), seated at the window counter, is immersed in.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026
In recent years, the FBI has warned about criminals pretending to be law enforcement agents, federal officials and even employees of the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2026
The characters don’t know, and the real-life writing staff, Fogelman seems to suggest, won’t insult our intelligence by pretending to.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 30 Mar. 2026
But requiring all 3- or 4-year-olds to participate in a public preschool program or pretending that child care will produce better outcomes for all children doesn’t hold up to the data.
—Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
But requiring all 3- or 4-year-olds to participate in a public preschool program or pretending that child care will produce better outcomes for all children doesn’t hold up to the data.
—Abby McCloskey, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretending
Adjective
-
To expel a Democrat and leave a Republican alone would strike many voters as hypocritical.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Foulkes' campaign has labeled McKee's attacks as desperate and hypocritical, noting his own associations with Home Depot.—
Katherine Gregg,
The Providence Journal,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the accompanying photo, Fleetwood and his new bride, Elizabeth Jordan lean into one another, cheekily posing behind Fleetwood's upheld fedora.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Apr. 2026
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The rice may contain foreign material, posing a safety hazard.—
Jenna Anderson,
Health,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The first modern computers used analog systems, which were especially useful for solving problems and simulating dynamic systems in real time.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
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Finance can also use AI to improve forecasting—and to develop predictive forecasts—not only by generating new scenarios but simulating them, too, Mittal says.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Their duplicitous conduct during negotiations is countered by the cold honesty of Iranian missiles.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
4 Apr. 2026
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Sailing aboard The Hispaniola, Jim and Bess are caught between the charming, terrifying pirate Long John Silver, and the debonair, duplicitous British agent Aaron Graham.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Texas Ranger introduces bodycam video Prosecutors have begun playing video of law enforcement interrogations of Tanner Horner, beginning with Texas Ranger Job Espinoza demanding that Horner tell him where Athena is and asking if the child was alive or dead when Horner left her.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
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Getting flexed into prime time, akin to Tuesday’s date in Boston, and playing in meaningful games in late March and early April is a signal Peterson’s vision is working.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But rather that sometimes, particularly with adult-child conflicts, the adult has to be very intentional about trying their best and assuming the best of the child.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
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The team went into filming Company Retreat assuming the process would be easier than season one.—
Angelina Mazza,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Using artificial intelligence to compose a social media post in the wake of a tragedy, or using it to write a fan letter to an Olympic athlete, comes off as insincere.—
Gayle Rogers,
The Conversation,
17 Mar. 2026
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That being said, its professional technical aspects just add to the impression that this is a glib and insincere effort, trying to graft a fun moviegoing experience onto a depressing story about hateful people reveling in each other’s pain.—
Katie Rife,
IndieWire,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The moon, rather than Earth, was the main gravitational force acting on the Orion spacecraft.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
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The following month, a hit squad, reportedly acting on bin Salman’s orders, strangled Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post journalist who had been critical of the regime, and used a bone saw to dismember his corpse.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pretending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretending. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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