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 facade
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 right
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
When his former lover returns under the pretense of old affection and his wife edges toward betrayal, Owen resolves to write, direct, and star in a new production of his own.
—
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 May 2026
In a work culture that has spent a decade celebrating grit, Cowan’s quieter argument—that caring openly is the more rigorous path to performance, and that the expensive thing is not the pause but the pretense—may be the one most worth remembering on a Monday morning.
—Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
According to Placer Superior Court filings, one false pretenses count and the personal identifying information charge stemmed from a June 21, 2025, incident.
—Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 20 May 2026
There was the pretense of happiness in his childhood home in Depression-era New York (the city is captured in terrifically evocative clips).
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pretense
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 May 2026
In a work culture that has spent a decade celebrating grit, Cowan’s quieter argument—that caring openly is the more rigorous path to performance, and that the expensive thing is not the pause but the pretense—may be the one most worth remembering on a Monday morning.
—Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
According to Placer Superior Court filings, one false pretenses count and the personal identifying information charge stemmed from a June 21, 2025, incident.
—Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 20 May 2026
There was the pretense of happiness in his childhood home in Depression-era New York (the city is captured in terrifically evocative clips).
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pretense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretense
Noun
-
The elder Taylor exuded the easy-going charm of a music legend who is free of any airs or affectations.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Slumming with her sister in San Francisco after her life with her Madoff-like ex in New York implodes, Jasmine Francis isn't quite willing to let go of the affectations that come with living in high society.—
Darren Franich,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The most important stories of Jesus’ life, the Nativity and Passion, are etched into the basilica’s east and west facades.—
Joseph Wilson,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
-
The 18 towers represent different figures from scripture including the apostles, evangelists and Virgin Mary while the three facades depict the life of Jesus along with his death and final judgment.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
As the Rams took the field for their last week of OTAs on Monday, the newest member of the organization walked out with his helmet in his left hand, pointing at new teammates with his right, his trademark white and black sweatband around his forehead.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
9 June 2026
-
Rivera was a renowned Indigenous leader who spent years fighting for the rights of his community and was imprisoned by the government in September 2023.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
That confidence isn’t arrogance.—
Datwon Thomas,
VIBE.com,
6 June 2026
-
As the subtitle promises, their answers are shared with all the vulgarity, pettiness, and arrogance intact.—
Juliet Izon,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
The British journalist Malcolm Muggeridge, who converted to Christianity late in his life, pointed out that Jesus’s entire ministry was directed against the pretensions of earthly power.—
Peter Wehner,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
-
Adley and his team make great tasting plates first and foremost, but some of the items, like the unmissable chicken wings stuffed with boudin blanc and romesco, act as a cheeky affront to haute cuisine’s pretensions and conventions.—
Colin Wrenn,
Denver Post,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
And that came in the guise of a serious illness that threatens — but then ends up solidifying — the unbreakable bond between Deborah (Jean Smart) and her protégé, Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder), something that has been built up over the course of five seasons.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
29 May 2026
-
Dwayne Johnson is a confident guy and has donned any number of ridiculous guises during his Saturday Night Live hosting gigs over the years.—
Jesse Hassenger,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Welker pressed Trump on his claims, noting repeatedly that the president had no evidence backing them up.—
Kimberly Nordyke,
HollywoodReporter,
7 June 2026
-
Kashmir police denied the claim, saying armed men had fired overnight on officers after being signaled to stop their vehicle.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
The successful test not only demonstrates the maturity of the MICA NG program but also highlights France’s commitment to maintaining technological superiority in the rapidly evolving domain of aerial warfare.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
7 June 2026
-
The threshold for superiority has shape-shifted throughout NBA history.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pretense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretense. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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