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Showing results for pretend. Search instead for pretends/5.
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.

Over a fingerpicked progression, he begins with “To pretend that everything will be just fine / That any wicked problem will dissolve over time.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

"At this stage, it's just unhelpful to pretend there is still some kind of comprehensive system in place."

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

Neither is it ethically appropriate for a media company to pretend it doesn’t exist, or to recast it as a launch for a reality show storyline.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

You don’t get to walk into my courtroom, pretend that’s top of mind, then obfuscate when I ask why your office is still running illegally.

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026

“Can’t we pretend none of this ever happened?”

From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.