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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Recent Examples of pretexts
Americans have a long history of being hurried into war on false pretexts.
—
Adam Kirsch, The Atlantic, 3 May 2026
Hamas says that Israel is creating pretexts to avoid honoring the agreement.
—Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 29 Dec. 2025
Those killed under torture, or by starvation, or medical neglect, on the other hand, were transported first to military hospitals where pretexts were invented for the deaths.
—Robin Yassin-Kassab, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
Adam Kirsch, The Atlantic, 3 May 2026
Hamas says that Israel is creating pretexts to avoid honoring the agreement.
—Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 29 Dec. 2025
Those killed under torture, or by starvation, or medical neglect, on the other hand, were transported first to military hospitals where pretexts were invented for the deaths.
—Robin Yassin-Kassab, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretexts
Noun
-
There are other reasons for sending the frigates, however.—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2026
-
One of the reasons for prices higher than neighboring states is the Illinois practice of applying sales taxes to the cost of gasoline after the motor fuel tax is charged to motorists.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
No excuses, no justifications, a sincere apology.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
-
No excuses, no justifications, a sincere apology.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
Noun
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In the documentary, a man running the shelter, who identified himself as Charles Lubajja, tells the undercover reporters that the shelter exists primarily to make money from social media users abroad under false pretenses.—
Christopher Edwards,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
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In the movie, members of the narcotics unit face suspicion for allegedly stealing some of the money under false pretenses and for their own benefit.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
Noun
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Now, with a new head coach, new quarterback and a 12-team College Football Playoff, the excuses for the Nittany Lions to not make it to the postseason are running out.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
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Wallstedt made no excuses for the roughest outing of his seven career playoff starts, acknowledging that Colorado, with its hockey version of fast break offense, is a much different challenge than Dallas, which played a more meticulous and patient offensive game.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pretexts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretexts. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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