pretend to (something)
idiom
formal
: to claim that one has (something, such as a quality or ability)
She pretends to a deep religious devotion, but I don't believe her.
—usually used in negative statementsI don't pretend to any expertise in these matters.
Examples of pretend to (something) in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Then, pretend to drop your phone and act devastated, showing your family the image of the broken screen.
—
Kimberly Stoney, Parents, 19 Mar. 2025
On the verge of graduating high school, two cisgender boys pretend to be transgender to get into the girl’s locker room.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 16 Mar. 2025
In most fields workers are prone to deny a problem and even pretend to enjoy the abuse.
—James L. Edwards Iii, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
You are not required to pretend to respect someone who disrespects you.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretend to (something)
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Kimberly Stoney, Parents, 19 Mar. 2025
On the verge of graduating high school, two cisgender boys pretend to be transgender to get into the girl’s locker room.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 16 Mar. 2025
In most fields workers are prone to deny a problem and even pretend to enjoy the abuse.
—James L. Edwards Iii, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
You are not required to pretend to respect someone who disrespects you.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretend to (something)
Cite this Entry
“Pretend to (something).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pretend%20to%20%28something%29. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.
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