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
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
Argos and Odysseus recognize each other, but Odysseus pretends not to know Argos, for fear of being found out.
—Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2025
Charlie, a charming student, agrees to help if Avery pretends to be her girlfriend to make an ex jealous.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
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
Argos and Odysseus recognize each other, but Odysseus pretends not to know Argos, for fear of being found out.
—Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2025
Charlie, a charming student, agrees to help if Avery pretends to be her girlfriend to make an ex jealous.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretends
Verb
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A lot of questions are answered in the finale, and the finale poses more questions to be answered soon.—
Leia Mendoza,
Variety,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Pink poses with the company of Masquerade after catching a show in New York.—
Lex Goldstein,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This is the scenario Dalio warns of, namely if interest costs exceed growth rates, growth can no longer carry the debt burden in the way that Trump assumes, because growth is vulnerable to shifts in rates, inflation, or the economic cycle.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Their paper challenges the standard Lambda Cold Dark Matter (ΛCDM) model, which assumes that the effects of dark energy remain constant.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Fans of the stage show know the second act is a pivotal moment for Fiyero and, by extension, the man who plays him.—
Olivia-Anne Cleary,
Time,
30 Sep. 2025
-
And Kirsten Dunst plays Leigh Wainscott, the Charlotte mom Manchester dated while hiding out off Independence Boulevard.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Tutor simulates real dialogue, letting learners practice speaking, ask questions, and get instant feedback at their own pace.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The club also simulates the decision-making process of a real hedge fund with its Student Fund project.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When Swift acts in a way that is seemingly out of character, audiences feel cheated.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
6 Oct. 2025
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Restraint and classic elements can go a long way in avoiding a bathroom that acts like a roll call of the decade’s best (or worst) trends.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
-
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 7 Oct. 2025.
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