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
Carrie Lukas, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Many businesses closing in Urfa were previously non-production businesses, established at zero cost with government incentives, used as warehouses while pretending to operate, and then declared bankrupt.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 2 Sep. 2025
To mimic what would be a regular game week, head coach Andy Reid and the Chiefs have been pretending all week, beginning on Sunday — which acted as a Wednesday practice day — and continuing on Monday (a Thursday) and so on.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2025
With the wild, feel-good vibes of Jack Black pretending to be a certified teacher and a classroom full of middle schoolers desperate for a little fun (private school uniforms will do that to a kid), the film is pure chaos, in the best way possible.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 30 Aug. 2025
While pretending to work in tech support for a legitimate company, the scammer will use a phone call, text, email or pop-up window to contact the victim.
—Jeremy Tanner, The Hill, 30 Aug. 2025
Labor Day weekend usually means grilling, lounging, and pretending to relax.
—PC Magazine, 29 Aug. 2025
Growing up above their parent’s pub in the West Midlands, England, Benjamin and Jodie Caron would bustle around the office pretending to oversee a business.
—Jenelle Riley, Variety, 24 Aug. 2025
That happens when the universal accountability for which the United States calls exempts Israel, pretending it can be counted on to judge its own.
—Hussein Agha, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
There can be no more pretending, briefing or hiding.
—Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
But that injury was balanced out by years of creative play that kept my kids climbing, pretending, and running around with friends independently.
—Carrie Lukas, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Many businesses closing in Urfa were previously non-production businesses, established at zero cost with government incentives, used as warehouses while pretending to operate, and then declared bankrupt.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 2 Sep. 2025
To mimic what would be a regular game week, head coach Andy Reid and the Chiefs have been pretending all week, beginning on Sunday — which acted as a Wednesday practice day — and continuing on Monday (a Thursday) and so on.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2025
With the wild, feel-good vibes of Jack Black pretending to be a certified teacher and a classroom full of middle schoolers desperate for a little fun (private school uniforms will do that to a kid), the film is pure chaos, in the best way possible.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 30 Aug. 2025
While pretending to work in tech support for a legitimate company, the scammer will use a phone call, text, email or pop-up window to contact the victim.
—Jeremy Tanner, The Hill, 30 Aug. 2025
Labor Day weekend usually means grilling, lounging, and pretending to relax.
—PC Magazine, 29 Aug. 2025
Growing up above their parent’s pub in the West Midlands, England, Benjamin and Jodie Caron would bustle around the office pretending to oversee a business.
—Jenelle Riley, Variety, 24 Aug. 2025
That happens when the universal accountability for which the United States calls exempts Israel, pretending it can be counted on to judge its own.
—Hussein Agha, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretending
Verb
-
The two stuck close to each other's sides while posing for the cameras, even deciding to share a smooch to celebrate the exciting night.—
Michelle Lee,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
By mid-2025, lead times for large power transformers had stretched beyond 30 months, with some units requiring up to four years for delivery—posing serious risks to grid reliability and expansion.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In 2022, the company achieved the world’s first test of a megawatt-class, multi-kilovolt hybrid electric propulsion system in altitude conditions simulating single-aisle commercial flight.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Sep. 2025
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On occasion, especially as the film builds to its lugubrious finale, Mielants tries other tricks, simulating long tracking shots that seem to glide through the school and then out onto the grounds.—
Richard Lawson,
IndieWire,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Meghan McCain, the conservative commentator and daughter of late Senator John McCain, faced immediate backlash after mocking Greta Thunberg's appearance, comparing the Swedish climate activist to Shrek villain Lord Farquaad in a post critics slammed as hypocritical.—
Emma Marsden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Sep. 2025
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Republicans, however, have called Democrats hypocritical, noting that several of the states to which Texas Democrats fled during their quorum break were ones that have been gerrymandered.—
Caroline Vakil,
The Hill,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Though his interests were that of a pretty typical child — computing and gaming, playing the saxophone, enjoying soccer and time with his pets — he was also known for his acts of kindness and generosity.—
Lauren Costantino
September 6,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The Chiefs also were playing without rookie wide receiver Jalen Royals, who is recovering from an injury.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Free as a Bird albums — with Davies assuming the lead vocals and songwriting by himself.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Creating truly inclusive environments means understanding and addressing these disparities, not assuming one-size-fits-all solutions will work.—
Tara Fitzpatrick-Navarro,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Yet pop culture continues to fixate on these single women, with horror movies in particular framing them as duplicitous and unstable—threats to the public good.—
Beatrice Loayza,
The Atlantic,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Unfortunately, my mom was irresponsible and even duplicitous about money many times over the years.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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After both shows ended in 2014, Meyer focused on voice acting, lending his talents to SuperMansion (2015–2017), and Crossing Swords (2020).—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep. 2025
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This is the Oscar-winning director's first-ever acting Emmy nomination, and his daughter Francesca shared his emotional reaction to being nominated.—
Carson Blackwelder,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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For one, Vitale writes that the sort of direct-to-camera monologues that have become the toast of Bourdainposting were, in Bourdain’s eyes, corny and insincere.—
Tres Dean,
Vulture,
29 Aug. 2025
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The movie does not earn the right for such an insincere have-your-I-Heart-the-’90s-cake-and-eat-it-too gesture.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
16 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretending. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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