as in pretense
a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive
it was clear to her friends that her reaction to the news was pure playacting
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playacting
Noun
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The Trump Administration has significantly weakened America's national security infrastructure under the false pretense of government efficiency, by reducing staffing at the Departments of Defense and State, FBI, CIA, USAID, and others despite increasing global threats.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
TIME,
24 Mar. 2025 -
The Trump administration’s harrowing detention of Palestinian student activist Mahmoud Khalil — and the broader repression of student activism on campuses across the country — is being sold to the public under the false pretense of ensuring Jewish safety.—
Adam Jaffe,
New York Daily News,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
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But one of the show’s most viral clips is much more representative: The veteran SNL writer Jim Downey pretends to have never heard about Jeffrey Epstein’s misdeeds, to O’Brien’s bleating objections.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2025
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The entrepreneur rose to fame as an executive producer and star of the Netflix reality show that showcased affluent Asians in Southern California.—
Lawrence Yee,
People.com,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Wind chills in this region could reach 20 degrees, posing a significant threat to people and property.—
Kevin Lynn,
Newsweek,
8 Jan. 2025
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Wind chills in this region could reach 20 degrees, posing a significant threat to people and property.—
Kevin Lynn,
Newsweek,
8 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Though the statesman tries to stay one step ahead of the sovereign, the facade he’s so carefully crafted starts to crack.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
23 Mar. 2025
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The iconic flag is bolted onto the facades of brick homes.—
Sara Miller Llana,
The Christian Science Monitor,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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While maintaining a quirky and mysterious air, the show yields questions like, is a cult real if its creators are pretending but its followers aren’t?—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
24 Dec. 2024
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June Squibb plays the titular Thelma, who gets taken in by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson Danny (Fred Hechinger) to the tune of $10,000.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
23 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Opening acts in select cities include Marshmello, The All-American Rejects and Boys Like Girls.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
23 Mar. 2025
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George Michael’s many acts of generosity, often conducted under condition of anonymity, have come to light since the star’s death in 2016.—
Caroline Frost,
Deadline,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Presidents of both parties have installed acting officials in high-ranking positions in their administrations.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
31 Dec. 2024
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Those officials could be then tapped for acting positions.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
31 Dec. 2024
Noun
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All would come under the guise of respect for local norms.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
17 Mar. 2025
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Underneath the guise of afternoon tea, though, lies a book club, which offers Eleanor, Rose and Lavinia the chance of newfound freedom.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
14 Mar. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Playacting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playacting. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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