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
The Kremlin is making false accusations that could be used in the future as pretexts for military attacks.
—
Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
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
Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretexts
Noun
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This group of hotels, which premieres today across our US and UK markets, is special for many reasons.—
Erin Florio,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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That use case is one of the reasons why OpenAI is focused on building infrastructure, Altman said.—
Annie Palmer,Samantha Subin,Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
1 June 2026
Noun
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Meanwhile, the nation was entangled in costly foreign wars whose justifications seemed far removed from the immediate safety of Britain.—
Danielle Allen,
The Atlantic,
21 May 2026
-
No excuses, no justifications, a sincere apology.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Noun
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According to the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office, 55-year-old Ziad Khalel, of Clinton Township, was arraigned on Tuesday on one count of false pretenses - $1,000 ore more but less than $20,000 and as a habitual offender - second offense.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
27 May 2026
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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
Noun
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Mary disrupts Clark’s equilibrium with the Backrooms by refusing to validate his excuses for his behavior, fully calling out his failings, his petty assholery, and his glib, solipsistic lies.—
Tasha Robinson,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
-
Williams said Melo keeps making excuses.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pretexts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretexts. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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