variants
or pretence
1
as in affectation
the quality or state of appearing or trying to appear more important or more valuable than is the case
she seemed to be a very down-to-earth woman who was completely free of pretense
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in airs
a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive
her display of bravado was just a pretense
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in claim
an entitlement to something
this book on gardening makes no pretense at completeness
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in arrogance
an exaggerated sense of one's importance that shows itself in the making of excessive or unjustified claims
the pretense of that woman in thinking that the other hotel guests should be inconvenienced just for her
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pretense
To suggest that gimmickry somehow cancels a film’s worthiness plays into the nonsensical pretenses of awards season.
—
Armond White, National Review, 24 Jan. 2025
Glenn Litton wounded both boys after meeting with the school’s principal under the pretense of enrolling his grandson.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacramento Bee, 15 Jan. 2025
But that would require the president-elect to recognize that Putin is a liar who is far weaker than his pretenses.
—Trudy Rubin, The Mercury News, 11 Jan. 2025
In the most recent suit, filed Dec. 27 in Los Angeles County Superior Court, former patients accuse Brock of groping their breasts and genitals unnecessarily under the pretense of legitimate medical examinations.
—Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pretense 
Armond White, National Review, 24 Jan. 2025
Glenn Litton wounded both boys after meeting with the school’s principal under the pretense of enrolling his grandson.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacramento Bee, 15 Jan. 2025
But that would require the president-elect to recognize that Putin is a liar who is far weaker than his pretenses.
—Trudy Rubin, The Mercury News, 11 Jan. 2025
In the most recent suit, filed Dec. 27 in Los Angeles County Superior Court, former patients accuse Brock of groping their breasts and genitals unnecessarily under the pretense of legitimate medical examinations.
—Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pretense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretense
Noun
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In the beginning of the series, which starts in the 1950s and goes through the AIDS epidemic, Tim is still boyish, and his affinity for milk is just another cute affectation that catches Hawk’s eye.—
Allison P. Davis,
Vulture,
27 Dec. 2024
-
In the 2010s, baking sourdough bread at home went from quirky, hippie affectation to a serious hobby.—
Meghan McCarron,
New York Times,
24 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Under the settlements, Simmons did not admit any wrongdoing, and the confidential agreements do not explicitly state the women’s claims against him.—
Stacy Perman,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2025
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Durbin also highlighted Patel's claims that the FBI planned the events of Jan. 6 and said he has been involved in the recording of songs performed by those who were in prison as a result of their actions four years ago.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
All of which meant that when economists gathered in San Francisco this month for the annual meeting of the American Economic Association, there was a sense that their famous confidence — critics would say arrogance — had been, if not shattered, certainly dealt a body blow.—
Ben Casselman,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2025
-
Relevant reality skills: Rob, while deadly charming, has always played Survivor by putting his confidence (some would say cockiness) and expertise (some would say arrogance) on full display.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
6 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
There’s no pretension or judgment here, but nearly everything is pleasing to the eye.—
Devorah Lev-Tov,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2025
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Before Trump, Tokyo spent less than one percent of GDP on defense, an astonishingly low figure for a state adjacent to China and with great-power pretensions.—
Robert E. Kelly,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Feb. 2022
Noun
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Carpenter and Roan have followed Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo as the Grammys’ insurance policy, further warding off the possibility of the show becoming an oldies act any time soon.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
3 Feb. 2025
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From the tragedy and the tireless efforts of advocates, an act of Congress mandated the government to offer support to families following airline disasters.—
Michelle Watson,
CNN,
3 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Ten years into the Trump era, our Democratic avatars still feel obligated to signal their impotent superiority to the person who actually runs the place.—
Jessica Winter,
The New Yorker,
28 Jan. 2025
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Of the 12 traits of a narcissist, several, like grandiosity and superiority, can actually look like leadership traits.—
Mark Murphy,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Only nine will actually be awarded at tonight's Grammy Awards show.—
Hannah Parry,
Newsweek,
2 Feb. 2025
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The Associated Press will stream a three-hour red carpet show with interviews and fashion footage.—
ASSOCIATED PRESS,
TIME,
2 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The real magic happens when people bring ideas to life — when teams push boundaries, challenge assumptions and pour their passion into building something extraordinary.—
Calvin Rasode,
Rolling Stone,
3 Feb. 2025
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In addition, any opinions and assumptions expressed herein are made as of the date of this communication and are subject to change and/or withdrawal without notice.—
Katie Stockton,
CNBC,
3 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near pretense
Cite this Entry
“Pretense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretense. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
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