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
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
The lies begin as soon as Max encounters Guillermo, an arrogant nepo baby who blamed him for Ane’s death but now pretends to accept his apology.
—Judy Berman, Time, 19 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
In the clip, the pair execute the moves to the song’s post-chorus, before a bonnet-wearing Colbert pretends to choke on something, causing Gaga to erupt in laughter.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 10 Sep. 2025
Seeing Laura come down the deck, Cherry pretends to be drowning.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Seizing the moment, Liza pretends to be half her age and reenters the publishing industry, landing a job as the assistant to the head of marketing at Empirical Press, Diana Trout (Miriam Shor).
—Hannah Kerns, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
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
The lies begin as soon as Max encounters Guillermo, an arrogant nepo baby who blamed him for Ane’s death but now pretends to accept his apology.
—Judy Berman, Time, 19 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
In the clip, the pair execute the moves to the song’s post-chorus, before a bonnet-wearing Colbert pretends to choke on something, causing Gaga to erupt in laughter.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 10 Sep. 2025
Seeing Laura come down the deck, Cherry pretends to be drowning.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Seizing the moment, Liza pretends to be half her age and reenters the publishing industry, landing a job as the assistant to the head of marketing at Empirical Press, Diana Trout (Miriam Shor).
—Hannah Kerns, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretends
Verb
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This investigation, now in its early stages, could lead to a recall if the agency finds that Tesla's self-driving software poses a safety risk.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
18 Oct. 2025
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In the clip, the teenager can be seen standing with her mom before getting her teeth put in as Abraham poses behind her.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After President Rayburn dies, Grace assumes the presidency.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
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That assumes a 20% downpayment of $177,900.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In an art-imitating-life debut, Wilder, 18, plays the son of his dad's character Everett.—
Jen Juneau,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
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As the largest global trade organization of movie theater owners, Cinema United plays a critical role in advocating for the interests of the theatrical experience.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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The seats move, wind gets blown at you (something that makes for a particularly unsettling moment when a character is shot in the head and the 4DX system simulates the bullet whizzing into your ear), and lights pop on and off around the auditorium to simulate gunfire and other effects.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Leaving old stems and fallen leaves in place acts as free mulch.—
Benjamin Vogt,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Oct. 2025
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When exposed to a magnetic field, the film acts like an actuator, contracting, bending, or folding the origami, effectively turning it into a tiny, controllable robot.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Adcock professes to take safety seriously.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
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Add to this fact that Isabelle’s assistant, Dani, also professes her love for her and there’s quite a lot of intersecting queerness in this entry.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them.,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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 21 Oct. 2025.
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