Thesaurus results for PRETENDS

pretends

verb

Definition of pretends next

present tense third-person singular of pretend

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

Relevance

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of pretends Christian pretends to fall so everyone looks at him, and then Devens stashes a fake idol wrapped in the real sheet from the BEBI. —

Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2026 On the right, Tucker Carlson has repeatedly asserted that Buttigieg only pretends to be gay, and is in fact a straight man faking homosexuality for political clout. —

Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026 Pierson pretends not to hear it. —

Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026 Importantly, though, VanArendonk adds that Bluey’s messages are powerful because the show never pretends that there is no struggle. —

Miranda Rake, Parents, 19 Feb. 2026 On that occasion, deprived of racing in the Olympics but not of his morality, Vladyslav Heraskevych personified the exact principles the Olympic movement pretends to defend. —

Ihor N. Stelmach, Hartford Courant, 18 Feb. 2026 Security researchers have uncovered a malicious Chrome and Edge extension called NexShield that pretends to be a fast, privacy-friendly ad blocker. —

Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 16 Feb. 2026 The story about a woman, who is considered a cursed bride, and her husband, who pretends to be possessed in an attempt to control her, is the first all-Pakistani feature at the Berlin International Film Festival, which has in the past featured Pakistani co-productions. —

Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026 No one pretends to extract any truth or significance. —

Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretends

Verb

The documentary may or may not provide a definitive answer, but the fact that Martin poses the question — and that the filmmakers chose to include Michaels’ non-answer — suggests the topic won’t be avoided entirely.

— Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2026
The Neo-versus-Air question also poses some subtler design and feature differences.

— Matthew Buzzi, PC Magazine, 5 Mar. 2026