1
as in poses
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 assumes
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 pretends
But nobody pretends that number is reliable.
—
Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 31 Oct. 2025
Each night on her ongoing Short n’ Sweet tour Carpenter pretends to arrest a member of the crowd.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
In the finale, Brandis pretends not to see the million-dollar stash in Maeve's possession and zips the bag back up, looking up as birds sing.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025
After encountering an old friend, Colette, embarrassed about her friend’s success compared to her own, pretends to be a customer at the DMV instead of an employee.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
In a particularly poignant moment in the film, Jiang stands by the window at night and pretends to capture and punch the shadow of a security guard downstairs.
—Yangyang Cheng, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025
The label is applied when a teen pretends or forces himself to present in this way just to win the romantic attention of the young women around him.
—Ashleigh N. Deluca, Parents, 24 Sep. 2025
One big topic in the news these days is that AI often pretends to be your best friend and will praise you to the high heavens.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Seeing Laura come down the deck, Cherry pretends to be drowning.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 31 Oct. 2025
Each night on her ongoing Short n’ Sweet tour Carpenter pretends to arrest a member of the crowd.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
In the finale, Brandis pretends not to see the million-dollar stash in Maeve's possession and zips the bag back up, looking up as birds sing.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025
After encountering an old friend, Colette, embarrassed about her friend’s success compared to her own, pretends to be a customer at the DMV instead of an employee.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
In a particularly poignant moment in the film, Jiang stands by the window at night and pretends to capture and punch the shadow of a security guard downstairs.
—Yangyang Cheng, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025
The label is applied when a teen pretends or forces himself to present in this way just to win the romantic attention of the young women around him.
—Ashleigh N. Deluca, Parents, 24 Sep. 2025
One big topic in the news these days is that AI often pretends to be your best friend and will praise you to the high heavens.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Seeing Laura come down the deck, Cherry pretends to be drowning.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretends
Verb
-
The Nvidia boss, who regularly poses for selfies with fans, also went outside the restaurant a few times to hand out kimbap, typical Korean street food fare, and treats to those gathered.—
Gina Chon,
semafor.com,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The novel also poses questions about topics like womanhood, motherhood and feminism — which Blake hopes will get readers thinking too.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This assumes the utility sees a demand of about 1,500 MW to supply data centers.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Matty assumes the court will automatically apply the same protections to Dasha in the new case.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That sensibility is countered by Dina’s, who plays the romantic foil to Liberty’s pessimist.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The score was composed by Nitin Sawney and performed by a 60-piece orchestra, while a 200-strong cast plays over 500 characters across 198 chapters and 700-plus scenes.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
But many of their hitters have already taken swings against him – thanks to the sophisticated technology of Trajekt, a pitching machine that simulates the visual of any major-league pitcher’s mechanics and the shape of his pitches.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
24 Oct. 2025
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In the primary bath, the space is lined with $750,000 worth of ivory onyx tile featuring a $20,000 Toto Zero-Gravity tub that simulates floating.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Dan also acts as a mentor to foster kittens, teaching them how to play and socialize.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The apple's natural fiber acts as a gentle abrasive, while the boost in saliva helps wash away lingering sugars.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Also, this is the second scene of the season in which a male love interest professes an intense and specific oral fixation with his female partner.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Adcock professes to take safety seriously.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Someone who’s really living the Andrew Tate-like lifestyle Jacob only feigns is his bestie Cameron (Dylan Playfair).—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretends. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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