- present participle of pretend.
pretending
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 vibes are childish, more like those of 11-year-old boys pretending they’re in an action cartoon than adult men who read books and enjoy the company of women.
From Salon ● Jul. 17, 2026
It was one of several funny moments from the match widely shared on social media including Harry Kane's post-match interview after losing his voice and England defender John Stones pretending he was injured.
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
“Many Italians are pretending it’s not really happening.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 4, 2026
"There is a possibility that bad actors may claim usernames... and message other users while pretending to be someone they are not," the English-language daily quoted a senior government official as saying.
From Barron's ● Jul. 2, 2026
“Someday, perhaps! But pretending to be a bard is not much of a disguise, since I already am one. And Shakespeare’s long dead. It’d only draw attention if he turned up at Ashton Place.”
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
