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
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
Belly sees Conrad at the rehearsal dinner and pretends to ignore him.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
The 22-year-old USC grad pretends to be working in a New York City shop, perfecting the design on the Kobe 3 when Brunson, an interested customer, walks in.
—Natasha Dye, People.com, 19 Aug. 2025
She’s relieved, at first, when Warhol pretends not to recognize her.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2025
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
Belly sees Conrad at the rehearsal dinner and pretends to ignore him.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
The 22-year-old USC grad pretends to be working in a New York City shop, perfecting the design on the Kobe 3 when Brunson, an interested customer, walks in.
—Natasha Dye, People.com, 19 Aug. 2025
She’s relieved, at first, when Warhol pretends not to recognize her.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretends
Verb
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That poses a challenge for some of NATO’s more traditional air defence systems, which were designed to protect against missiles and manned aircraft.—
Andrew Gray,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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As Silver knows better than anyone, this sticky situation poses a serious risk to consumer faith in the Association.—
Sam Amick,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Dealing with someone who constantly assumes the worst can be challenging.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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The model assumes that a neural circuit exists in each body segment along the spinal cord.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Star actor Ólafur Darri Ólafsson who plays the charismatic chef and ex-convict trying to rebuild his life and reputation, will attend the Spanish event, next to co-writers and producers Jónas Margeir Ingólfsson and Hörður Rúnarsson of Act4.—
Annika Pham,
Variety,
9 Sep. 2025
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George Clooney plays the titular protagonist, a famous movie actor who embarks on a journey of self-discovery confronting both his past and present, accompanied by his devoted manager Ron (Adam Sandler).—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Across the room, a tube is hooked up to another dummy and connected to a machine that simulates bleeding.—
Beth Warren,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
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The design simulates some key aspects of human perception and behavior, says Daniel Cervone, a professor of psychology specializing in personality theory at the University of Illinois Chicago.—
Webb Wright,
Scientific American,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The order, which, again, acts like one blanket prescription, allows pharmacists and other healthcare professionals to look at FDA approval for vaccines and not ACIP recommendations.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
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Now there’s the new Yummy Skin Liquid Blurring Balm Mattifying Setting Spray, a weightless setting spray that acts like a blurring and mattifying powder.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 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 17 Sep. 2025.
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