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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These are typically hogwash for multiple reasons, not least of which is the combination of ideological bias with the pretense of ideological neutrality.—
Dan McLaughlin,
National Review,
18 Feb. 2025 -
Instead, these conflicts were entered into under the pretense of strengthening national security or spreading democracy.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The show was created and produced by Banijay Benelux label TwentyTwo.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
26 Feb. 2025
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So far, she’s completed four shows in Brisbane and two of four nights in Sydney.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
26 Feb. 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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Michael’s sexuality has never been an issue, because Julia married him for a life of status and security, and is happy to keep up any facade necessary to maintain it.—
Mary Marge Locker,
New York Times,
11 Feb. 2025
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The van drove us to a remote spot and deposited us near four Old West–style buildings, or rather facades of buildings.—
Chris Colin,
AFAR Media,
31 Jan. 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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These small acts of showing up authentically lead to big gains over time and can inspire others along the way.—
Megan Bruneau,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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While opening acts haven’t been officially announced yet for the stadium shows, Blackpink concerts are known for their elaborate production and full-evening experiences.—
Jenzia Burgos,
StyleCaster,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, ordered an emergency safety inspection of the country’s entire airplane operation, including checks of all Boeing 737-800s.—
Conor Murray,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
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The fast-acting shampoo should only be left on wet hair for one minute, and it’s designed for weekly use.—
Jenny Berg,
Allure,
31 Dec. 2024
Noun
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According to certain cosmologies, their souls take on the guise of marine creatures—an idea that struck me as strangely comforting.—
Julian Lucas,
The New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2025
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Those influences are often deliberate — coy and canny reworkings of previous themes and character types, presented again in new guises and winking reflections.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Playacting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playacting. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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