pretense
noun
pre·tense
ˈprē-ˌten(t)s 
pri-ˈten(t)s
variants
or pretence
1
: a claim made or implied
especially
: one not supported by fact
2
a
: mere ostentation : pretentiousness
confuse dignity with pomposity and pretense—
Bennett Cerf
Bennett Cerf
b
: a pretentious act or assertion
3
: an inadequate or insincere attempt to attain a certain condition or quality
4
: professed rather than real intention or purpose : pretext
was there under false pretenses
5
6
: false show : simulation
saw through his pretense of indifference
Examples of pretense in a Sentence
We tried to keep up the pretense that everything was fine.
Their indifference is merely pretense.
Recent Examples on the Web
After his arrest, Duffy had faked amnesia and sought asylum in a psychiatric hospital, where doctors prevented the police from interrogating him, but the pretense of the amnesia was exposed at the trial by his ex-wife and a friend.
—Sarah Beckwith, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
May 8 Theft by false pretense: Someone contacted a Saratoga resident, claiming to be a member of the Federal Trade Commission.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 23 May 2025
Shucking the pretense of Blackness is received as homecoming.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 20 May 2025
Furthermore, the company and its founder operate on the pretense that responsible financial planners have the ability and responsibility to explain every aspect of the process in language clients can understand.
—William Jones, USA Today, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretense
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.
Sarah Beckwith, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
May 8 Theft by false pretense: Someone contacted a Saratoga resident, claiming to be a member of the Federal Trade Commission.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 23 May 2025
Shucking the pretense of Blackness is received as homecoming.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 20 May 2025
Furthermore, the company and its founder operate on the pretense that responsible financial planners have the ability and responsibility to explain every aspect of the process in language clients can understand.
—William Jones, USA Today, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretense
Cite this Entry
“Pretense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pretense. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pretense
noun
pre·tense
variants
or pretence
1
: a claim usually not supported by facts
2
: the quality or state of being pretentious
free from pretense
3
: an effort to reach a certain condition or quality
let's have some pretense of order around here
the book makes no pretense at completeness
4
: a pretended purpose
was there under false pretenses
5
: a false show : simulation
a pretense of indifference
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share