pretend to (something)

idiom

formal

: to claim that one has (something, such as a quality or ability)

She pretends to a deep religious devotion, but I don't believe her.

—usually used in negative statements

I don't pretend to any expertise in these matters.

Examples of pretend to (something) in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Some priests appeared to pretend to not notice as Santería followers blew cigar smoke onto statues of St. Lazarus, who is represented walking on crutches and wearing a sack cloth. —

Patrick Oppmann, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024 Commenting on the post, Reddit users say the woman should at least pretend to play along. —

Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 18 Dec. 2024 The Jackal, besides being an expert sniper, also had to pretend to be someone else to evade capture. —

Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Dec. 2024 Since then, courts across California have warned potential jurors of a much more pervasive scam; fraudsters who call people and pretend to be court employees, then demand payment for failing to appear for jury duty. —

Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 8 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pretend to (something)

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“Pretend to (something).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pretend%20to%20%28something%29. Accessed 27 Dec. 2024.

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