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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of pretense
In the most recent suit, filed Dec. 27 in Los Angeles County Superior Court, former patients accuse Brock of groping their breasts and genitals unnecessarily under the pretense of legitimate medical examinations.
—
Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025
Both Loughlin and Giannulli, 57, pleaded guilty last May to paying $500,000 in bribes to get Olivia Jade and Isabella fraudulently admitted to the University of Southern California on the pretense of being recruits for the school’s rowing team.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 5 Dec. 2024
Relationships can endure an awful lot, the play asserts, but not false intimacy—not the pretense of something that should be sacred.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 24 Dec. 2024
Soka University Disturbingly, even while not issuing credit, many of these colleges and universities let students waive out of the introductory classes—giving the pretense of some benefit but with no loss of tuition revenue for the school.
—Paul Weinstein Jr., Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pretense 
Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025
Both Loughlin and Giannulli, 57, pleaded guilty last May to paying $500,000 in bribes to get Olivia Jade and Isabella fraudulently admitted to the University of Southern California on the pretense of being recruits for the school’s rowing team.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 5 Dec. 2024
Relationships can endure an awful lot, the play asserts, but not false intimacy—not the pretense of something that should be sacred.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 24 Dec. 2024
Soka University Disturbingly, even while not issuing credit, many of these colleges and universities let students waive out of the introductory classes—giving the pretense of some benefit but with no loss of tuition revenue for the school.
—Paul Weinstein Jr., Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pretense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretense
Noun
-
In the 2010s, baking sourdough bread at home went from quirky, hippie affectation to a serious hobby.—
Meghan McCarron,
New York Times,
24 Dec. 2024
-
That was just a bizarre affectation, a strange impression of a dancing horse that offered basically nothing constructive, and ultimately made his eventual miss look five times as stupid.—
Nick Miller,
The Athletic,
9 July 2024
Noun
-
Email newsletter | Facebook page Our rating: False The claim originated on a satirical website.—
Joedy McCreary,
USA TODAY,
18 Jan. 2025
-
But my newfound understanding of the claims can and will change how those works affect me today, and tomorrow.—
Glen Weldon,
NPR,
18 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
All of which meant that when economists gathered in San Francisco this month for the annual meeting of the American Economic Association, there was a sense that their famous confidence — critics would say arrogance — had been, if not shattered, certainly dealt a body blow.—
Ben Casselman,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2025
-
Relevant reality skills: Rob, while deadly charming, has always played Survivor by putting his confidence (some would say cockiness) and expertise (some would say arrogance) on full display.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
6 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Even Saanen’s most renowned, high-end establishments remain low-key and devoid of pretension, like 16 ART-BAR-RESTAURANT, credited by Michelin as Bib Gourmand for an experience and culinary offering that is both high quality and good value.—
Monica Mendal,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2025
-
This was the night that any pretensions over Arsenal possessing the requisite firepower to compete on four fronts were put to bed.—
Jordan Campbell,
The Athletic,
7 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Viewers learned that what happened to Laura was a brutal act of violence, one that lacked an easy explanation; the series instead offered both a mundane and a supernatural reason for her murder.—
Emma Stefansky,
The Atlantic,
22 Jan. 2025
-
The British viewed the Boston Tea Party as an act of treason and retaliated with punitive measures that would ultimately lead to conflict.—
Joe Minihane,
CNN,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
That sense of superiority, while warranted, has been a problem for Tomás and his family in the past.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Armstrong even noted bitcoin’s superiority over gold regarding divisibility and portability.—
Becca Bratcher,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The winner goes on to the Super Bowl on February 9. Who will perform in the Super Bowl Halftime show?—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
-
During an interview on the Willie D. Live YouTube show Nelly framed his choice as support of the office of President rather than Trump himself.—
Kizzy Cox,
Essence,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Use data to challenge assumptions, validate decisions and guide strategy.—
Mark Kane,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
-
Maryland’s green energy plan assumptions are a fantasy.—
David T. Stevenson,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near pretense
Cite this Entry
“Pretense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretense. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share