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

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Others pointed out that there was absolutely no need for Musk to pretend to be a skilled gamer—the man has accomplished more in the real world than the digital realm. Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025 There will be essentially a two-tier society between the quote unquote, real Americans—those who buy into this, or pretend to — and then the rest of Americans. John Blake, CNN, 12 Jan. 2025 Things get more interesting when a trio of outcast teens pretend to be Satanists to get people interested in their rock band. Ars Technica, 24 Dec. 2024 Some might be disgusted that a person would pretend to be emotional simply to drive the AI in a preferred direction. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for pretend to (something) 

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Cite this Entry

“Pretend to (something).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pretend%20to%20%28something%29. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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