as in reasons
a false ground that you give to hide why you are really doing something
The leaders used a minor clash at the border as a pretext for war.
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretexts
Noun
-
Gaga joins other artists including Sting and Adele, who both recently postponed concerts due to medical reasons.—
Megan Cartwright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025 -
For those reasons and more, Rohl’s signing on a season-long loan, with a €20million obligation provided Everton avoid relegation, is intriguing.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The justifications for the slaughter which started out so white hot after October 7th have cooled now, become more immaterial and incoherent.—
Jack Sheehan
September 4,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The justifications are endless, as are the streams of books and websites making the case.—
Naomi S. Baron,
The Conversation,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
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
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Since then, immigration raids have escalated — often under questionable pretenses.—
Sonia Banker,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
No more hand-wringing and excuses by politicians who love to talk while people are terrorized.—
Willie Wilson,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Communicate value instead of creating excuses.—
Nataly Kelly,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Pretexts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretexts. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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