variants
or pretences
1
as in facades
a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive
her display of bravado was just a pretense
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rights
an entitlement to something
this book on gardening makes no pretense at completeness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pretenses
Aurora Municipal Court Judge Brian Whitney issued an order last year pausing more than 300 cases in which attorneys challenged issues under the same pretenses as those before the Supreme Court.
—
Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 16 Jan. 2026
Kingstringer and Ledesma were booked into the Contra Costa County Jail on suspicion of grand theft of an animal, theft by false pretenses and conspiracy.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025
They were booked into Contra Costa County jail on charges of grand theft of an animal, theft by false pretenses and conspiracy.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025
The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime said in a May report that women from more than 20 African countries had been recruited under false pretences to make drones for Russia’s war.
—Reuters 16 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
The audience meets Charles, who is completing yet another stint in jail, this time for false pretenses and evading arrest.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025
Did Gacy’s attorney, Sam Amirante, agree to represent him on false pretenses and later struggle to be his lawyer?
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
Harold is so clearly not a great man that his pretenses feel more like cries for help.
—Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
They were arraigned on Friday in Brockton District Court on one count each of larceny over $1,200 by false pretenses, embezzlement, and conspiracy.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 16 Jan. 2026
Kingstringer and Ledesma were booked into the Contra Costa County Jail on suspicion of grand theft of an animal, theft by false pretenses and conspiracy.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025
They were booked into Contra Costa County jail on charges of grand theft of an animal, theft by false pretenses and conspiracy.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025
The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime said in a May report that women from more than 20 African countries had been recruited under false pretences to make drones for Russia’s war.
—Reuters 16 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
The audience meets Charles, who is completing yet another stint in jail, this time for false pretenses and evading arrest.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025
Did Gacy’s attorney, Sam Amirante, agree to represent him on false pretenses and later struggle to be his lawyer?
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
Harold is so clearly not a great man that his pretenses feel more like cries for help.
—Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
They were arraigned on Friday in Brockton District Court on one count each of larceny over $1,200 by false pretenses, embezzlement, and conspiracy.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretenses
Noun
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Just a few blocks away, however, neighborhoods like Jalatlaco feel noticeably quieter, with residential streets, cobblestones, and colorful facades.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Jan. 2026
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For the first time, thanks to Kent, trees were planted next to the facades of buildings.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
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But the jury in the federal civil lawsuit found that Moore violated Gillispie's rights by hiding evidence that would have helped Gillispie's defense and creating unfair lineup procedures for the victims.—
Laura A. Bischoff,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Jan. 2026
-
For nearly a year, migrant rights advocates and neighborhood activists across the Twin Cities have been preparing to mobilize in the event of an immigration enforcement surge.—
Tim Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Populism in all its guises surfaces problems but rarely solves them.—
Stephen Kotkin,
Foreign Affairs,
16 Dec. 2025
-
Bad actors can take on all kinds of guises—including pretending to be lawyers.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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That statement alone refutes claims that IHRA is meant to silence debate.—
David Moore,
New York Daily News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
All prize claims must be submitted within 180 days of the drawing date for draw games.—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Along the way, the funny guys have also appeared in several TV shows and movies, including their own, Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny, in 2006.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Jan. 2026
-
He was then run over by a patrol vehicle, video shows.—
Jose Fabian,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The nation was to be purged of continual sin not indeed all of its own doing—due partly to its inheritance; and yet a sin, a negation that gave the world the right to sneer at the pretensions of this republic.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
23 Jan. 2026
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This action comedy is audacious in portraying the pretensions of show business.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Jan. 2026
Noun
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How to watch the 2026 Golden Globe Awards The ceremony airs live on CBS.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
11 Jan. 2026
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The matchup airs on FDSSE, FDSOK, NBA TV, and WMC-TV.—
Data Skrive,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Critics worry the $300-million complex poses espionage and surveillance risks, particularly its proximity to underground fiber-optic cables carrying sensitive financial data.—
Sylvia Hui,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2026
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For many investors, the run-up poses quite the conundrum, however.—
Aly J Yale,
CBS News,
19 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pretenses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretenses. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
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