as in pretense
a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive
it was clear to her friends that her reaction to the news was pure playacting
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playacting
Noun
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Lottie’s wellness cult is no more, although an incriminating video tape gives the adults at least some pretense of narrative tension.—
Abby Monteil,
Them,
13 Mar. 2025 -
During this and other trials, Chase abandoned all pretense of impartiality, openly siding with federal prosecutors.—
Marianne Holdzkom,
The Conversation,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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And be sure to check out my latest streaming guide for all the other shows and movies out this weekend.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
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The entrepreneur rose to fame as an executive producer and star of the Netflix reality show that showcased affluent Asians in Southern California.—
Lawrence Yee,
People.com,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Wind chills in this region could reach 20 degrees, posing a significant threat to people and property.—
Kevin Lynn,
Newsweek,
8 Jan. 2025
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Wind chills in this region could reach 20 degrees, posing a significant threat to people and property.—
Kevin Lynn,
Newsweek,
8 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Though the statesman tries to stay one step ahead of the sovereign, the facade he’s so carefully crafted starts to crack.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
23 Mar. 2025
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The iconic flag is bolted onto the facades of brick homes.—
Sara Miller Llana,
The Christian Science Monitor,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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While maintaining a quirky and mysterious air, the show yields questions like, is a cult real if its creators are pretending but its followers aren’t?—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
24 Dec. 2024
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June Squibb plays the titular Thelma, who gets taken in by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson Danny (Fred Hechinger) to the tune of $10,000.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
23 Dec. 2024
Noun
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There’s a real power in the Chocolate Drops getting back together at this moment in time, after the group helped spawn so many new acts in the past decade.—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
23 Mar. 2025
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Opening acts in select cities include Marshmello, The All-American Rejects and Boys Like Girls.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
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South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, ordered an emergency safety inspection of the country’s entire airplane operation, including checks of all Boeing 737-800s.—
Conor Murray,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
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The fast-acting shampoo should only be left on wet hair for one minute, and it’s designed for weekly use.—
Jenny Berg,
Allure,
31 Dec. 2024
Noun
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All would come under the guise of respect for local norms.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
17 Mar. 2025
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Underneath the guise of afternoon tea, though, lies a book club, which offers Eleanor, Rose and Lavinia the chance of newfound freedom.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
14 Mar. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Playacting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playacting. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
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