Definitions

pretense

[pri-tens, pree-tens] / prɪˈtɛns, ˈpri tɛns /

NOUN

falsehood, affected show; cover

Synonyms

STRONGEST

charade cloak pretext semblance veneer

STRONG

act acting affectation appearance artifice claim deceit deception display dissimulation double-dealing evasion excuse fabrication facade fakery falsification feigning gag guise insincerity invention make believe mask masquerade misrepresentation misstatement ostentation posing posturing pretentiousness routine ruse schtick sham shuffling simulation stall stunt subterfuge trickery veil wile

WEAK

dumb act faking

Antonyms

STRONGEST

reality

STRONG

frankness honesty honor openness quiet simplicity truth truthfulness uprightness

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 question then becomes: Will fans still tune into college games when there’s no pretense the players are students?

From The Wall Street Journal

It should end any pretense that the current Republican Party is a serious governing party.

From Los Angeles Times

And it also springs from a trollish pretense that fatuously declares that Democrats are the warmongers while they just want to give peace a chance.

From Salon

It's pure, it's without pretense, it's without the sexual connotations.

From Salon

Mr. Oher, 37, filed a petition in August to terminate the nearly 20-year-old conservatorship, claiming that he had been tricked into signing away his decision-making powers under the pretense that he would be adopted.

From New York Times

pretense

Example Sentences

Related Words