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
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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
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Unlike Chase, Aykroyd worked hard to retain Carter’s affectations and appearance, while also adding a slyness that implied a deeper calculation.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The bill passed 7-0 by Senate Banking and Insurance Committee on March 17 with an amendment barring insurers from solely using artificial intelligence to deny claims.—
Ron Hurtibise,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Mar. 2025
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Is that an accurate claim, or an Asahara-like instance of messianic self-inflation?—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The toxic combination of Trump’s pro-Russia leanings, Vice President J. D. Vance’s arrogance and condescension, and Musk’s sad case of advanced poster’s disease have tanked America’s reputation among its traditional allies.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2025
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But jealousy and arrogance get the best of Hamilton, who insinuates himself into the defense team, believing this action will help his political and financial setbacks.—
Oline H. Cogdill,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
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
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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
-
George Michael’s many acts of generosity, often conducted under condition of anonymity, have come to light since the star’s death in 2016.—
Caroline Frost,
Deadline,
23 Mar. 2025
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There’s a real power in the Chocolate Drops getting back together at this moment in time, after the group helped spawn so many new acts in the past decade.—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
23 Mar. 2025
Noun
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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
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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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But one of the show’s most viral clips is much more representative: The veteran SNL writer Jim Downey pretends to have never heard about Jeffrey Epstein’s misdeeds, to O’Brien’s bleating objections.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2025
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The panel went over the evolution of certain elements of the show, including the characters.—
Abigail Lee,
Variety,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
That insight often comes from someone testing a previously unchallenged assumption.—
Mark Nevins,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
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Showdown at Little Rock Similar assumptions guided events even in places where desegregation appeared to be working.—
Essence,
Essence,
22 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretense. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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