pretend
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.
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“Two, as a manager, I had to pretend like everything was fine. Three, it felt exploitative to my team.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026
But I won’t pretend my hands are clean.
From Salon ● Oct. 4, 2026
Of course, Cumming is still happy to put on a glittery outfit, amp up his Scottish accent and pretend to be the lord of the castle on “The Traitors.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026
And this "enabled the club to pretend that such funds represented operating income".
From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2026
“Are you even going to pretend to listen to me?”
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
The case not only ignores these major competitors in the theatrical market but also pretends this market represents the entirety of the competitive playing field.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
"He is not happy, he pretends he is happy," said Tamim.
From Barron's ● Jun. 17, 2026
Following Mozart’s successful debut at court, Salieri cozies up to him and pretends to aid his cause.
From Salon ● May 16, 2026
Rhonda had fallen victim to what is known as impersonation scam, where a fraudster pretends to be from a bank or other financial institution.
From BBC ● Mar. 16, 2026
When I ask her a question, she nods or grunts or pretends she doesn’t hear.
From "Crash" by Jerry Spinelli
Also this year, Cohen’s press officer secretly was recorded by a woman who pretended to be on a date with him.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
The mood was perhaps best summed up at the face-off, when Joshua smiled and pretended to tickle Fury's stomach.
From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026
He then pretended to board the old Air Force One, only to secretly switch planes by hiding in a refueling truck, due to security threats.
From Barron's ● Sep. 9, 2026
Instead, Owens pretended there are numerous holes in the case.
From Salon ● Sep. 8, 2026
Mother played the part beautifully as he feigned frustration and pretended to call a superior.
From "City Spies" by James Ponti
In one, she holds up a finger covered in red marker to look like blood, pretending to be a patient who asks how much stitches will cost, and is later shocked by the bill.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
You know it, they know it, there’s no point pretending otherwise.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 4, 2026
Learning how to fall and pretending you have superpowers can’t cancel out physics.
From Salon ● Oct. 2, 2026
But if you are hunting round for grants, watch out for scams pretending to be official money-off schemes.
From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026
I ask the photographer, from my perch at Theo’s desk, the one that I am supposed to be pretending is my own desk as I write fictitious letters to the boys on the front.
From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse
Vocabulary lists containing pretend
"Eleven"
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"Eleven," Vocabulary from the short story
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"Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll, Chapters 1–3
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