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
Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
Scammers are sending emails to residents involved in planning, zoning or land-use applications pretending to be Forest Lake city planning and zoning staff members, the city said Friday.
—Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 6 Mar. 2026
From the jump, there’s no pretending M is a trustworthy guide to her story.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2026
Some claimed someone else was pretending to be him.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 5 Mar. 2026
Also, there’s something vaguely familiar about seeing Nam atop a horse — was this video in any way inspired by his time pretending to be a cow during the show’s paintings challenge?
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2026
There is no pretending the Padres are looking for an ace among those competing to join Nick Pivetta, King, Joe Musgrove and Randy Vásquez in this season’s rotation.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
State police are investigating after a Pittsburgh-area resident was scammed out of over $5 million by people pretending to be the Federal Trade Commission.
—Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
The Buffs, who open spring ball Monday, are full-speed ahead at pretending 2025 didn’t happen — so much so, in fact, that nearly half the roster, both coordinators and a chunk of the coaching staff are brand new.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
There can be no more pretending, briefing or hiding.
—Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
City Hall needs to stop pretending the job is getting done and just do it.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
Scammers are sending emails to residents involved in planning, zoning or land-use applications pretending to be Forest Lake city planning and zoning staff members, the city said Friday.
—Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 6 Mar. 2026
From the jump, there’s no pretending M is a trustworthy guide to her story.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2026
Some claimed someone else was pretending to be him.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 5 Mar. 2026
Also, there’s something vaguely familiar about seeing Nam atop a horse — was this video in any way inspired by his time pretending to be a cow during the show’s paintings challenge?
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2026
There is no pretending the Padres are looking for an ace among those competing to join Nick Pivetta, King, Joe Musgrove and Randy Vásquez in this season’s rotation.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
State police are investigating after a Pittsburgh-area resident was scammed out of over $5 million by people pretending to be the Federal Trade Commission.
—Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
The Buffs, who open spring ball Monday, are full-speed ahead at pretending 2025 didn’t happen — so much so, in fact, that nearly half the roster, both coordinators and a chunk of the coaching staff are brand new.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretending
Adjective
-
The tech entrepreneur, who founded a fitness app and a financial management platform catering to young and wealthy customers, also characterizes Khanna’s stock trading as hypocritical since the congressman campaigns on easing inequality.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The permanent observer of the 22-nation Arab League, Maged Abdelaziz, suggested Israel was being hypocritical in justifying its military attack by saying it was intended to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.—
Edith M. Lederer,
Fortune,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Another image showed several of its crew members posing on deck with the Iranian flag in the background.—
Sheikh Saaliq,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Higher energy prices could stoke inflation, complicating the outlook for the Federal Reserve and posing trouble for stocks.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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To get each trooper up to speed on the new devices, state police used virtual reality training aids that take police through scenarios simulating potential real-life situations that can rise to the level of a Taser being used or those that may require lethal force.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
5 Mar. 2026
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This digital sleep aid is designed to wake you up gently and naturally by simulating sunrise light.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
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
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In his account, an international order run by a single power would hinder Russia and produce needless conflict, especially when that power was as self-serving and duplicitous as America.—
Alan Cullison,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Fellow City Section member Sylmar (24-12) is playing San Marin (21-13) for the Division V title at noon.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Prior to the start of the current conflict, the IRGC was one of the most powerful organizations in the country, playing a dominant role in both internal domestic security and regional power projection.—
Mike Brest,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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From looks alone, you’d be forgiven for assuming the Grand America Hotel was nestled somewhere in the European Alps, as opposed to Salt Lake City’s Wasatch Rockies.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
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But for a non-clairvoyant Bush II administration, assuming WMD under Saddam Hussein seemed the responsible thing.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But this initiative struck many of us as insincere from the beginning — one committee to co-sign the death sentence, another to swing the ax.—
Randy Ribay,
Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2026
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Which is not to say that Amodei is being insincere.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Chinese company would be acting as a passive financial investor, the people said, asking not to be identified because the matter is private.—
Dong Cao,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
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The directive banned local law enforcement from acting on warrants of removal and prohibited ICE agents from accessing Fairfax County police buildings.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pretending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretending. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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