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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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
All pretense of impartiality is gone.
—Franklin Leonard, Vanity Fair, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pretense
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
All pretense of impartiality is gone.
—Franklin Leonard, Vanity Fair, 14 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 owner, Kenneth Howell has been locked in an acrimonious battle with the city of Boise for years, after Boise staff raised concerns over temporary shoring posts bowing under the building’s weight and a crumbling facade, among other safety issues staff highlighted.—
Darin Oswald,
Idaho Statesman,
3 June 2026
-
The record of my thinking is right there in the open, teaching me tolerance for my fumbling, training me not to hide my struggle behind a seamless façade of digital perfection.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Pride Month kicks off nationwide with parades from major metros to small towns, blending rainbow celebration with protest roots as LGBTQ+ communities face renewed political attacks on rights and inclusion.—
Geoff Mulvihill,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
-
Swierc and the American Civil Liberties Union sued Ball State President Geoffrey Mearns last September in federal court, claiming her firing was a violation of her First Amendment rights.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
The problem is that without Humility, confidence easily becomes arrogance, decisiveness becomes impulsive, and expertise becomes a barrier to learning.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
In Polis’ case, so does arrogance.—
Mark Barabak,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Perfection is inhuman, and pretensions to it are both doomed and misbegotten.—
Elizabeth Bruenig,
The Atlantic,
27 May 2026
-
The digs at the pretensions of artists, channeled through Claire’s decision to make her death a public spectacle in order to secure some future fame, are less amusing here because the blows never seem to quite connect with their targets.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
24 May 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
-
There was no justification for the claim Rochelle Walensky made about masking.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
-
Sergei Shoigu, Russia's former defense minister and now secretary of its Security Council, also rejected Zelenskyy’s claim, describing it as a scare tactic to attract more Western aid for Kyiv.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Ryan Tintner, vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman’s space superiority systems division, said the company is combining advanced missile defense technologies with commercial-sector partnerships to support Golden Dome priorities.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
1 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 5 Jun. 2026.
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