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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pretense
Under the pretense of going to the bathroom, Dunne escaped out the window and took off in her car, which Sweeney jumped the hood of.
—
Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Dwarfing its predecessor and three inches taller, the Ford GT made no pretense of being a racing machine like the car that inspired it.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2025
Workers in the scam compounds are often trafficked from third countries, usually under the pretense of a lucrative job offer, and then forced to scam people online with investment pitches or romantic ploys.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
All of Beaton’s extravagance, artifice and pretence stemmed from him trying to become something he was never born into.
—Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretense
Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Dwarfing its predecessor and three inches taller, the Ford GT made no pretense of being a racing machine like the car that inspired it.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2025
Workers in the scam compounds are often trafficked from third countries, usually under the pretense of a lucrative job offer, and then forced to scam people online with investment pitches or romantic ploys.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
All of Beaton’s extravagance, artifice and pretence stemmed from him trying to become something he was never born into.
—Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretense
Noun
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The way Koko is received for her affectation is part of what’s frustrating to watch, too.—
Jihan Forbes,
Allure,
29 Oct. 2025
-
In retrospect, Kinetta feels like a dry run for Lanthimos, with all the droll affectation of his later provocations but little of the allegorical power or lunatic comedy that would distinguish them.—
A.A. Dowd,
Vulture,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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While no major changes to the building's facade are anticipated, the project calls for a one-story addition to its north annex.—
Hannah Kirby,
jsonline.com,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The money, the success — all a facade.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The men also spoke about going on strike to demand basic rights, including communication with the outside world.—
Rocio Muñoz-Ledo,
CNN Money,
12 Nov. 2025
-
Inside the store, shelves to the right of the entrance are stacked with nonperishable foods, hygiene products, pet food and donated blankets and sweaters, Smith said.—
Cathie Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
12 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In a post dripping with arrogance, Lynch dished out demeaning nicknames for her recent opponents.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
-
This propensity for mental acrobatics, alongside his immense arrogance, was how Epstein rationalized his crimes to himself.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Ron Rosenbaum on the Icon and the Enigma To be caught in the spotlight of our pretensions is the worst kind of embarrassment there is.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
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Few things jar the delicate pretensions of the cocktail sophisticate so much as a drink with a chicken on top.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
Denver Post,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Several actors donned the iconic guise of Ghostface in the Scream franchise, but one of the most intriguing is Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich) in the original film.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
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In this guise, Saverino is breathless with excitement.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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While Kyiv denied Russian claims that Ukrainian forces in Pokrovsk have already been surrounded, saying on Wednesday that active operations stopping the Russian advance were still ongoing, Ukrainian soldiers on the ground have described an increasingly grim reality.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
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The hearing also included two members of Miller's own family — her daughter and her father — who offered a counterpart to claims that Miller was an unworthy and hostile caregiver.—
Jim Riccioli,
jsonline.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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These are the questions that have plagued the American public since the Euphoria and Anyone But You actor dared to gesture toward a blatant superiority as one of the most notable hot people right now.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
4 Nov. 2025
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The pact is aimed at securing an edge over China in the race for tech superiority, Bloomberg noted.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretense. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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