1
as in mock
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
he shows a pretended affection for his girlfriend's cat
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fake
not being or expressing what one appears to be or express
hoped that his pretended interest in classical music would impress the boss
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in posed
to take on a false or deceptive appearance
I pretended that I didn't care that my ex had a new man in her life
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in assumed
to present a false appearance of
as if I would ever pretend illness just to take off a day from work
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pretended
Helen Shaw, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2022
What most activates Dunn’s rage is the misogyny that only deepened amid all the pretended freedoms of the counterculture.
—Sam Sacks, WSJ, 11 Nov. 2022
No, seriously: People were very upset by these shoes, or at least pretended to be.
—Heather Wilhelm, National Review, 31 Aug. 2017
Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
Josef and Rosemarie raised three of Elisabeth's children, who Josef pretended Elisabeth left on their doorstep, while Elisabeth was forced to raise three of her children in a locked underground compound without windows.
—Jessica Sager, People.com, 1 Mar. 2025
Morant then put the imaginary grenade to his mouth, pretended to pull the pin by biting it, and tossed it.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025
For one YouTube video, Piper pretended to break her leg and have a stroke and was carried away in a fake ambulance.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
Rick, who pretended to be a film producer to weasel his way into the home of Jim and Sritala (Lek Patravadi) and confront Jim over potentially murdering his father.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 4 Apr. 2025
In the prank, Nephew Tommy pretended that his organization lost funding due to Crockett’s viral clapbacks.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Davis then shot Harmony in the head and also shot her 10-year-old sister, who suffered a non-fatal bullet wound and pretended to be dead until long after Davis left the residence, according to police.
—Chris Spargo, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025
There have been numerous cases in which criminals have pretended to work for a police department and forged court orders and emergency requests to pilfer personal information that could be used to locate, stalk or harass individuals.
—Thomas Brewster, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
The woman is long gone, so Freer has to imagine her consent — in a history so full of gaps, coercion, and disappearance, a pretended connection is better than none at all.
—Helen Shaw, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2022
What most activates Dunn’s rage is the misogyny that only deepened amid all the pretended freedoms of the counterculture.
—Sam Sacks, WSJ, 11 Nov. 2022
No, seriously: People were very upset by these shoes, or at least pretended to be.
—Heather Wilhelm, National Review, 31 Aug. 2017
Verb
The newly vegan sister-in-law then called the caterer and pretended to be the bride, adding five new vegan options and approving a $1,500 charge.
—Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
Josef and Rosemarie raised three of Elisabeth's children, who Josef pretended Elisabeth left on their doorstep, while Elisabeth was forced to raise three of her children in a locked underground compound without windows.
—Jessica Sager, People.com, 1 Mar. 2025
Morant then put the imaginary grenade to his mouth, pretended to pull the pin by biting it, and tossed it.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025
For one YouTube video, Piper pretended to break her leg and have a stroke and was carried away in a fake ambulance.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
Rick, who pretended to be a film producer to weasel his way into the home of Jim and Sritala (Lek Patravadi) and confront Jim over potentially murdering his father.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 4 Apr. 2025
In the prank, Nephew Tommy pretended that his organization lost funding due to Crockett’s viral clapbacks.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Davis then shot Harmony in the head and also shot her 10-year-old sister, who suffered a non-fatal bullet wound and pretended to be dead until long after Davis left the residence, according to police.
—Chris Spargo, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025
There have been numerous cases in which criminals have pretended to work for a police department and forged court orders and emergency requests to pilfer personal information that could be used to locate, stalk or harass individuals.
—Thomas Brewster, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretended
Adjective
-
To supplement those real-life cases, providers visit simulation labs, do monthly mock scenarios, and review advanced skills, such as using an ultrasound to help guide breathing tubes into patient airways.—
Arielle Zionts. KFF Health News,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
-
The tin box includes a hinged plastic clear window where a small paper copy of an issue of The Daily Planet, featuring a large photo of Superboy’s canine pal Krypto on the front page with a mock story.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Trump still puts himself on fake magazine covers for validation, but some version of his celebrity and influence — and the attendant and unnerving public scrutiny — is now available to anyone who wants it.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
16 Aug. 2025
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In some cases, scam victims have reached out to fraudsters on fake websites, which look legitimate, in hopes of recovering their funds.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
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When Newcastle received an influx of cash from a sovereign wealth fund, fans assumed a legion of superstars would lead them to Champions League glory.—
Brett Koremenos,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Landry said early release, which until now has been typically assumed when judges hand down sentences, is a slap in the face to crime victims.—
Richard A. Webster,
ProPublica,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Gal Gadot is opening up for the first time about the commercial failure of Disney’s Snow White and shuts down reports of a strained relationship with co-star Rachel Zegler.—
David Caspi,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Focused on expanding their notorious drug and money laundering organization outside of Detroit, their strained relationship has left the brothers divided.—
Giana Levy,
Variety,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Florence Pugh won for her work in Thunderbolts* while Michael B. Jordan won for his double role in Sinners.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
7 Aug. 2025
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When the resident, who was a double leg amputee and under power of attorney, attempted to inform staff members of the assault, no one came to her room or responded to calls, according to the inspection report.—
Tamia Fowlkes,
jsonline.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Prosecutors concluded that the landlord acted in self-defense.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
12 Apr. 2025
-
Lori also acted as Cameron’s agent for purposes of the ticket that permitted Cameron to enter the game.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The experiments were conducted in a wind tunnel that simulated hovering flight conditions, with researchers focusing on accurately discerning wind directions during tethered flapping.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Dec. 2024
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Depending on the intensity, duration and sequence of those vibrations, sensations such as being tapped, stroked or squeezed can be simulated.—
Ben Coxworth,
New Atlas,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Fleeing from violence and a dark history, a man adopts a false identity looking to start over in the idyllic Canary Islands' town of Arcadia, where a new love interest could change his life — if his past doesn't come back to haunt him.—
Veronica Villafañe,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Newsom's $787 million suit seeks the same amount as the 2023 settlement Fox reached with Dominion Voting Systems after the voting machine company accused Fox News of knowingly pushing false conspiracy theories that Dominion rigged the 2020 presidential election in Joe Biden's favor.—
Olivia Rubin,
ABC News,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretended. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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