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
Gaza showed how power brokers from the White House on down seem eager for pretexts to punish dissent in ways that create a chilling effect, and that the hottest rhetoric from activists can be exactly that pretext.
—
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 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
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 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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In general, these types of operations – in which security forces take out a cartel leader – lead to more violence, for a variety of reasons.—
Angélica Durán-Martínez,
The Conversation,
24 Feb. 2026
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The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation does not provide information on a person’s time or location of parole release, citing safety and security reasons.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Past administrations offered legal and moral justifications for military inventions, such as the Bush administration’s claims that Iraq was a just war.—
Gerard F. Powers,
The Conversation,
11 Feb. 2026
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Their videos have turned American public opinion squarely against these operations and undercut the administration’s justifications for use of force.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Johnson eventually pleaded no contest to three counts of false pretenses between $1,000 and $20,000.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
29 Jan. 2026
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She is also charged with one count of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult of between $1,000 and $20,000 and one count of false pretenses of between $1,000 and $20,000.—
Paul Egan,
Freep.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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These are truths to confront, not cover up with excuses.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Feb. 2026
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The younger guys, who may make excuses or shy away when a coach challenges them, will respect what players like Goldstein or senior catcher Gianni Corral have to say.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pretexts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretexts. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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