pretend

[pri-tend] / prɪˈtɛnd /

VERB

fake, falsify

Synonyms

STRONGEST

assume bluff feign fool impersonate profess purport put on

STRONG

act affect allege beguile cheat claim counterfeit cozen deceive delude dissemble dissimulate dupe fish fudge hoodwink jazz jive malinger masquerade mislead sham simulate stonewall sucker whitewash

WEAK

be deceitful be hypocritical claim falsely fake out lay claim let on make out pass off pass oneself off as put up a front

Antonyms

STRONG

be honest deny reveal tell the truth

VERB

play the part of

Synonyms

STRONGEST

imitate impersonate purport suppose

STRONG

act imagine masquerade mimic play playact portray pose represent reproduce

WEAK

assume the role make as if make believe make out like make up put on a front put on airs put on an act

Antonyms

STRONGEST

be original differ oppose reverse

STRONG

stop

WEAK

be honest tell the truth

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.

Back in Britain in 1993, after pretending to be a BBC journalist in the past, he tried becoming one for real.

From BBC

I’ve always wanted to pretend External link to be an architect.

From Barron's

Let’s stop pretending this is about market dynamics.

From MarketWatch

Weeks later, employees were working late into the night revising AI-generated drafts, fixing errors, and pretending to be impressed by results they found mediocre.

From Barron's

Everyone knew what was happening even if they pretended not to.

From Salon

pretend

Example Sentences

Related Words