made believe

VERB

make a show of

Synonyms

WEAK

act as if act as though bluff counterfeit dream enact fake fantasize feign fool imagine let on like make as if play play the part play-act playact pretend simulate

Antonyms

WEAK

live reality

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They did it for hundreds of years, and then they made believe it never happened.

From New York Times • Jan. 30, 2017

They were shocked, so much that they indulged in sheer denial and made believe it wasn’t happening.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 20, 2016

I made believe I wanted to look at a new Chevy going by so she couldn’t see my eyes.

From "The Pigman" by Paul Zindel

Francie played with imaginary companions and made believe that they were better than real children.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

I made believe I was interested in looking at the trees and houses and clouds and stray dogs and whatever—anything not to let on how lonesome I felt inside.

From "The Pigman" by Paul Zindel