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
Under the pretense of getting a suit Hector can wear in court, Cherry snoops around their bedroom.
—
Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
He was charged with grand theft, attempted grand larceny, conspiracy, elder abuse, and theft by false pretenses, officials said.
—Paloma Chavez, Sacramento Bee, 5 Mar. 2025
The film, which also pays tribute to Hollywood classics of yesteryear, offers an exploration of social pretense and performance in the real world.
—Ed Meza, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025
Democrats say that Republicans are using claims of fraud at the Social Security Administration (SSA) as a pretense for scrutiny and cuts.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretense
Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
He was charged with grand theft, attempted grand larceny, conspiracy, elder abuse, and theft by false pretenses, officials said.
—Paloma Chavez, Sacramento Bee, 5 Mar. 2025
The film, which also pays tribute to Hollywood classics of yesteryear, offers an exploration of social pretense and performance in the real world.
—Ed Meza, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025
Democrats say that Republicans are using claims of fraud at the Social Security Administration (SSA) as a pretense for scrutiny and cuts.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretense
Noun
-
Ivy-as-Marilyn is an inconsiderate, amphetamine guzzling faux-intellectual whose devotion to the acting craft is presented as a vainglorious affectation.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
In its essence, a stock is a claim on all of the future earnings of a company.—
David Thomas,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Smith and Hill, who was also named in the lawsuit, both vehemently denied all claims of wrongdoing and accused the plaintiffs of being jealous of Piper’s popularity and success.—
Lynsey Eidell,
People.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
There were no pretensions of showmanship, no displays of braggadocio — just the hollow ringing of palms on goatskin.—
Taran Dugal,
Rolling Stone,
16 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Monkeys were introduced for the 1904 season and a popular touring act called the High Diving Elks, which featured elks trained to jump from heights of more than 20 feet into a water tank.—
Jeremy Drouin,
Kansas City Star,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The American judicial system looks at individuals, parses guilt and innocence, separates leaders from followers and is at pains to ensure no one gets blamed for the acts of others.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The hypocrisies of what might be called humanity’s delusions of superiority suggest the need for deeper questioning.—
Billy J. Stratton,
The Conversation,
7 Apr. 2025
-
His superiority was self-evident, like the rays of the sun.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Most significantly, the wealthy Ratliff family (played on the show by Jason Isaacs, Parker Posey, and co), were recast as President Donald Trump and his family, in a riff on the current tariff situation.—
Rebecca Cope,
Vogue,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Abby’s Motivations – Last night, players saw that the show was saying right away that Abby was a Firefly and was angry at Joel for all his murders at the hospital, decimating the entire organization.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Courts generally proceed on the assumption that government officials have acted properly.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Even under the assumption Aaron Rodgers finally drops the charade and signs, the Steelers need to make some sort of effort to secure a young quarterback.—
Derrik Klassen,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretense. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share