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
What was then the reigning Emmy winner for Outstanding Comedy Series all but abandoned any pretense of being comedic, other than in scenes featuring the cartoonish Fak family, as the show went all-in on the Faks.
—
Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 26 June 2025
That perspective gives us a unique opportunity to lead with both strength and empathy, spot talent where others might miss it and create cultures that last because they're built on purpose, not pretense.
—Angela Palo, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Theft by false pretense: Someone contacted a Saratoga resident claiming to work for Kaiser Hospital and the Chinese police.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 17 June 2025
Tiron Alexander, 35, was convicted by a federal jury of wire fraud and entering a secure area of an airport by false pretenses on June 5, according to a press release by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida.
—Pilar Arias, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretense
Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 26 June 2025
That perspective gives us a unique opportunity to lead with both strength and empathy, spot talent where others might miss it and create cultures that last because they're built on purpose, not pretense.
—Angela Palo, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Theft by false pretense: Someone contacted a Saratoga resident claiming to work for Kaiser Hospital and the Chinese police.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 17 June 2025
Tiron Alexander, 35, was convicted by a federal jury of wire fraud and entering a secure area of an airport by false pretenses on June 5, according to a press release by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida.
—Pilar Arias, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretense
Noun
-
From our review: Tessa Van den Broeck, a newcomer, plays Julie with zero affectation.—
The New York Times,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
-
No fussy affectations, just a deliberate tamping down of his more charismatic qualities.—
A.A. Dowd,
Rolling Stone,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
To make sure his company was in good hands and to sidestep nepotism claims, the 75-year-old billionaire sent his kids on a quest: get an MBA, work for a competitor for five years, and spend over a decade rising the ranks.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
5 July 2025
-
The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment of paralegals and legal assistants to grow slower than the average for all occupations while roles for credit analysts, claims adjusters and insurance appraisers to decrease.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 July 2025
Noun
-
This silliness, the silliness of his arrogance, was actually funny to me.—
Ottessa Moshfegh,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
-
On the dark side, however, Mercury in Leo can spark moments of arrogance and stubbornness.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
Instead of Jimmy Kimmel, a memorable host in the recent past with a keen appreciation for puncturing pretensions, there is Conan O’Brien who, while familiar, remains an unknown quantity in how politically barbed his opening monologue might be.—
Stephen Schaefer,
Boston Herald,
25 Feb. 2025
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Each installment was a chance for a new joke, a new observation—about fashion, dating, public restrooms, artistic pretensions, being mistaken for a man—in an era when popular depictions of lesbian experience were rare.—
Charlie Tyson,
New Yorker,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
Forty-two years after that, Titus captured and destroyed the city of Jerusalem; that act avenged the murder of Christ.—
Mary Jo Bang
July 9,
Literary Hub,
9 July 2025
-
The once-famous case of Ebenezer Smith Platt reminds us that widespread attention to acts of tyranny that violate foundational rights is critical to maintaining those rights.—
Time,
Time,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
Being the world's most valuable company is not a sign of permanent superiority.—
Nur Hikmah Md Ali,
CNBC,
10 July 2025
-
What To Know According to a French intelligence report shared with the Associated Press, Chinese diplomats worked to publicize the downing of Rafale jets during the conflict while promoting the superiority of Chinese fighter aircraft.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
More than a decade after its premiere, the show has experienced a major resurgence, especially among members of Gen Z (like myself).—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
8 July 2025
-
That’s certainly rare — especially when the show has been this successful.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
What becomes more important is the ability to adapt, question assumptions, and think creatively.—
John Winsor,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
-
The rates are based on an assumption that workers are paid $15.75 an hour, although there's no requirement for employers to pay that rate.—
Cleo Krejci,
jsonline.com,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretense. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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