variants
or pretence
1
as in affectation
the quality or state of appearing or trying to appear more important or more valuable than is the case
she seemed to be a very down-to-earth woman who was completely free of pretense
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in airs
a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive
her display of bravado was just a pretense
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in claim
an entitlement to something
this book on gardening makes no pretense at completeness
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in arrogance
an exaggerated sense of one's importance that shows itself in the making of excessive or unjustified claims
the pretense of that woman in thinking that the other hotel guests should be inconvenienced just for her
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pretense
Under the pretense of getting a suit Hector can wear in court, Cherry snoops around their bedroom.
—
Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
Lottie’s wellness cult is no more, although an incriminating video tape gives the adults at least some pretense of narrative tension.
—Abby Monteil, Them, 13 Mar. 2025
During this and other trials, Chase abandoned all pretense of impartiality, openly siding with federal prosecutors.
—Marianne Holdzkom, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2025
For more about how to tell generative AI to carry out a pretense, known as an AI persona, see my coverage at the link here.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretense
Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
Lottie’s wellness cult is no more, although an incriminating video tape gives the adults at least some pretense of narrative tension.
—Abby Monteil, Them, 13 Mar. 2025
During this and other trials, Chase abandoned all pretense of impartiality, openly siding with federal prosecutors.
—Marianne Holdzkom, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2025
For more about how to tell generative AI to carry out a pretense, known as an AI persona, see my coverage at the link here.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretense
Noun
-
The interaction between Briony and Jamie starts off amiably, with Jamie needling Briony for her posh affectations.—
Doreen St. Félix,
The New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2025
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Slumming with her sister in San Francisco after her life with her Madoff-like ex in New York implodes, Jasmine Francis isn't quite willing to let go of the affectations that come with living in high society.—
EW Staff,
EW.com,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The prince, also known as the Duke of York, repeatedly denied the claims.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2025
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Or Russia’s claim to be the guardian of traditional, conservative values while demanding respect for its dominance over its neighbors.—
Michael Miklaucic,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Most are due to unnecessary escalation, creating disengagement, authoritative behaviors, arrogance and ego.—
Joao Mendes-Roter,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Musk’s casual Friday attire just shows his arrogance and disrespect for American government.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The restaurant's elegant interior, with its high ceilings and classic décor, creates an atmosphere of refined sophistication without pretension—the ideal setting to contemplate the driving adventures that await.—
Shelby Knick,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
-
Harrington recently appeared on the Cookie Jar Golf podcast and opened up about how the then-21-year-old McIlroy shattered his pretensions as a heavy favorite to win the title.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Following the act of protest, the referee of the University of Maryland match -- which was not an NCAA tournament -- issued a black card to Turner, removing her from the competition.—
Leah Sarnoff,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Writing it, one senses, was a high-wire act over an abyss of pain, agitation, uncertainty, and the dread of being ignored or misunderstood.—
Leslie Camhi,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The 1960s ushered in debates about the constitutionality of the federal death penalty, due, in part, to a postwar sense of moral superiority.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
29 Mar. 2025
-
Without a more concerted attempt to define and demonstrate ethical behavior, the romanticization of fintech’s alleged moral superiority is going to backfire.—
Ron Shevlin,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The Oscar winner — who both wrote and stars in the stage adaptation of the 2005 movie Good Night, and Good Luck — celebrated the official Broadway opening of the show at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City on Thursday, April 3, without his wife.—
Dave Quinn,
People.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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The White Lotus Season 3 finale is this weekend and one character will not make it out of the show alive.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Intricate supply chains and trillions of dollars in investments—made over years based on assumptions of a world where trade barriers were being reduced or would remain constant—are now being upended.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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The assumption is the Wolves won’t be able to do that in each of their final five games, even with one of the league’s most favorable remaining schedules.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretense. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.
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