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 facade
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 right
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
There’s not even a pretense of a plan for what might come.
—
Suzanne Schneider, The New York Review of Books, 25 Mar. 2026
The design is purely utilitarian—no aesthetic pretense—but if clean, efficient slicing is the goal, this knife is built for it.
—Jamie Thilman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Under owner Carter Arnett, the restaurant has stayed true to its core identity — classic flavors, consistent execution and hospitality rooted in genuine warmth rather than pretense.
—Usa Today Network, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
And even the pretense is not pretense.
—Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pretense
Suzanne Schneider, The New York Review of Books, 25 Mar. 2026
The design is purely utilitarian—no aesthetic pretense—but if clean, efficient slicing is the goal, this knife is built for it.
—Jamie Thilman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Under owner Carter Arnett, the restaurant has stayed true to its core identity — classic flavors, consistent execution and hospitality rooted in genuine warmth rather than pretense.
—Usa Today Network, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
And even the pretense is not pretense.
—Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 20 Mar. 2026
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.—
Darren Franich,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
-
For the most part though, For the First Time, Again is weighed down by oversinging and emotional affectation.—
Millan Verma,
Pitchfork,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Set the scene At a cobblestoned intersection in the Tribeca North Historic District, an industrialist red brick facade gives way to eight floors of ethereal Art Deco interior design straight out of the South of France.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
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Future plans include repurposing the building’s former drive-thru lane into an outdoor cafe and adding new jellyfish murals to its front facade.—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The farmworkers' rights movement has always been powered by courage, by people willing to endure, to speak out, to demand dignity in the face of injustice.—
Luzdelia Caballero,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
That ruling led Williams to testify in his own defense, waiving his Fifth Amendment right and opening the door to introduce Franois’s statements in court.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Money and jealousy are the root of the play’s evils, with more deadly sins released in a world of posh, uppity arrogance.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
In a study with 355 participants, the authors narrowed their list to 16 warning signs that predicted violence that occurred within six months — many of them having to do with entitlement, arrogance, control and emotional immaturity.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The house did not have a European or East Coast seriousness, but rather a Californian dimension rooted in casualness, improvisation, and lack of pretension.—
Rem Koolhaas,
Artforum,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Traditionally, Oscars hosts have been at their best when puncturing the pretensions of the stars in attendance, but for the most part, host Conan O’Brien bought into their sense of their own righteousness.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Department of the Treasury last Thursday designated Hayat Yolu as a key player in a covert global network that uses the guise of humanitarian aid to raise money overseas.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
20 Mar. 2026
-
But sometimes the squashing of speech can appear in other guises.—
Andrea Valdez,
The Atlantic,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In February, the judge overseeing the case dismissed several claims against the bank, but let stand two others.—
Chase Jordan,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The state legislature has general immunity against claims for civil damages, so those would be sought from the town and could top $25 million, according to the lawsuit.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
For years, the Red Bull driver was the benchmark – often cruising through races with rivals unable to challenge his superiority.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
30 Mar. 2026
-
America has gone to war many times with the hubris of superiority.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pretense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretense. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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