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Definitions

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.

The legal adviser also suggested the undercover reporter would need to find someone willing to pretend to be his male partner.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

“It would be disingenuous to pretend AI doesn’t change the mix of skills we need or the number of roles required in certain areas. It does,” said Atlassian CEO Mike Cannon-Brookes.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

"Diego said that his mother would pretend her stomach hurt so he could eat," he said.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

With the writer’s blessing he jotted down their conversations and interviewed his friends and associates; McMurtry tolerated these intrusions “as long as he could pretend I wasn’t writing a book,” Mr. Streitfeld tells us.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

I’m about to brush it off, pretend it’s no big deal like I’ve been doing with Mum and Dad for the last few weeks.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

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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