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
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
Robin Yassin-Kassab, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretexts
Noun
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There are good reasons for wanting to learn from Switzerland’s experience.—
Peter Vanham,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
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Layoffs can occur for many reasons; while they can be viewed as a signal about how companies view economic headwinds, the reasons may also be more localized to individual companies amid restructuring or plans to maximize profits.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Independent estimates suggest millions could lose coverage if credits expire, as higher costs push healthier individuals out of the risk pool and compound insurer pricing, a dynamic reflected in carrier justifications to state regulators.—
Ashley Lutz,
Fortune,
24 Sep. 2025
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Where differences of opinion become justifications for violence.—
Margie Warrell,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Harold is so clearly not a great man that his pretenses feel more like cries for help.—
Jeremy Gordon,
The Atlantic,
12 Sep. 2025
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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
Noun
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The Washbergs, Blackie and Berta, and Allen the ginger skinhead — right now, the who-, why-, and howdunits feel tacked on, excuses to watch Lee unravel, rather than the cause of his unraveling.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
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Make sure there’s no excuses here.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretexts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretexts. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.
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