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
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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
-
Shonda Rhimes poses with Jennifer Hudson after visiting her talk show in Burbank, California.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
-
However, deadly force is authorized to prevent the escape of the fleeing subject where the LEO has a reasonable belief that the subject poses a significant threat of death or serious physical harm to the LEO or others and such force is necessary to prevent escape.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Neither the author nor publisher assumes liability for any loss or damage arising from use of this material.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
But all of that assumes that a putsch does succeed, and this is dubious.—
Quico Toro,
The Atlantic,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
As Cuenca plays a ball to the feet of his striker, Wilson dashes in the other direction, delaying Ibrahima Konate’s forward jump because the centre-back knows Bradley is unable to track both him and Robinson at the same time.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
In the dark romantic comedy-drama, True Blood alum Skarsgård, 49, plays tough biker Ray, who enters into a dominant-submissive relationship with Colin (Melling), a shy and directionless man who sings in a barbershop quartet.—
Eric Andersson,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
-
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
-
The Smith Canal Gate acts as a 50-foot-wide barrier between the San Joaquin River and thousands of homes in central Stockton in flood-prone areas.—
Charlie Lapastora,
CBS News,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Each Smart Tag acts as a key for specific reactions and sounds, and these can also unlock mini-games with missions and goals.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Like many managers, Amorim professes not to read, listen or consume opinions on his side’s performances, but his reference to Neville implied others within the club do, and are too sensitive to such criticism.—
Mark Critchley,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
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Colossal Biosciences professes to have species conservation as its primary mission, but de-extinction technologies could be used for other purposes.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
13 Nov. 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
-
The second man with a flail steps forward and feigns a move.—
Miguel Torres,
AZCentral.com,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretends. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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