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
But sometimes the pretense of consensus can perpetuate attachment to an unjust status quo.
—
Jennifer Szalai, New York Times, 30 Apr. 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.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Television was still pretty new and kiddie shows portrayed grown-ups as kind and wise and caring — a concept, or pretense, long ago abandoned by Nick and Disney show writers.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2025
In the source material, Dina’s pregnancy is used as an excuse to leave her behind in the theatre, pitting players as Ellie alone, who can set aside any pretenses of the journey being anything more than a revenge mission without her partner’s safety to worry about.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretense
Jennifer Szalai, New York Times, 30 Apr. 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.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Television was still pretty new and kiddie shows portrayed grown-ups as kind and wise and caring — a concept, or pretense, long ago abandoned by Nick and Disney show writers.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2025
In the source material, Dina’s pregnancy is used as an excuse to leave her behind in the theatre, pitting players as Ellie alone, who can set aside any pretenses of the journey being anything more than a revenge mission without her partner’s safety to worry about.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretense
Noun
-
No fussy affectations, just a deliberate tamping down of his more charismatic qualities.—
A.A. Dowd,
Rolling Stone,
25 Apr. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
Government attorneys requested the dismissal of his asylum claim.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
-
Request documentation of their claims and verify with references.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
Opinion: America was gaslit by the arrogance of Joe Biden and his enablers.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
25 May 2025
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The arrogance of the IRS should shock the conscience of all Americans.—
Chuck Flint,
Boston Herald,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
Nothing will knock the pretension out of you faster than having to go cover the sewage board hearing and having to type the school lunch menus.—
Samantha Dunn,
Oc Register,
11 Apr. 2025
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Boasting fresh sea air, healing waters and inspiring natural light, this area of the country offers a unique opportunity to experience luxury the Danish way: without pretension, surrounded by nature and the highest quality art, food and design.—
Lois Alter Mark,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
The shooting comes as Israel has launched another major offensive in the Gaza Strip in a war with Hamas that has heightened tensions across the Middle East and internationally and as antisemitic acts are on the rise.—
Maya Sweedler,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2025
-
The shooting outside the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. is a heinous act of antisemitic murder and terrorism.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 May 2025
Noun
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The formal presentation took place in the same battle-scarred stadium, Berlin’s Olympiastadion, where Adolf Hitler watched Owens, the Black American athlete, win four gold medals in the 1936 Games, dealing a blow to Hitler’s notions of racial superiority.—
Ciarán Fahey,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2025
-
Imagine a future Supreme Court case challenging church-state separation, with Christians vying against Christians for superiority.—
Emmett Coyne,
The Hill,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
Golden Gate Park, which sits in the city's center and was a magnet for rock and theater performances of all kinds in the '60s, will host three shows by Dead & Company – the name given to what remains of the original band plus current guests – at the park's Polo Fields Aug. 1, 2 and 3.—
Marco della Cava,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
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The show, which is set to premiere later this year, will see the kids face the challenges of carrying on the Chrisley name and legacy after their parents were locked up.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
21 May 2025
Noun
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Administrators can begin by: • Auditing their systems for accessibility barriers, including the assumption that students must meet traditional admissions criteria.—
Nicole Kim,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
-
The assumption was that the Trump Administration will not care.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretense. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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