1
as in to pose
to take on a false or deceptive appearance
I pretended that I didn't care that my ex had a new man in her life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to assume
to present a false appearance of
as if I would ever pretend illness just to take off a day from work
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in faux
being such in appearance only and made with or manufactured from usually cheaper materials
if you were to see the movie's pretend jewels in real life, you wouldn't be fooled for a minute
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in imaginary
not real and existing only in the imagination
it's just a pretend gun, so please pretend that I got you and play dead
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pretend
Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025
Rather than a team of anti-heroes, in the comics, the Thunderbolts were supervillains pretending to be superheroes.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025
Hannah Sacks, People.com, 10 Feb. 2025
This figure is at 20% of the happy medium between the low bar of 50 grams and the upper end of 120 grams (using our pretend 150-pound friend as our benchmark).
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretend
Verb
Their infatuations are challenged by a cunning philosopher who persuades the bros to pretend they’ve been suddenly drafted and to return later in disguise to woo each other’s fiancée.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025
Rather than a team of anti-heroes, in the comics, the Thunderbolts were supervillains pretending to be superheroes.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
He is also seen laying in a ball pit with his younger brother Barry, 18 months, and driving through a pretend car wash in a green toy car.
—Hannah Sacks, People.com, 10 Feb. 2025
This figure is at 20% of the happy medium between the low bar of 50 grams and the upper end of 120 grams (using our pretend 150-pound friend as our benchmark).
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretend
Verb
-
Their members pose a danger to the public and law enforcement.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Emma Stone is also spotted talking to Blackpink member Lisa and posing for a photo together.—
Brian Truitt,
USA TODAY,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The regulatory process in California could take up to a year, assuming that Tesla’s technology proves to be safe, Smith said.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2025
-
So until another shoe drops — assuming there will be another shoe — this deal feels somewhat incomplete for the Penguins.—
Shayna Goldman,
The Athletic,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Better Homes & Gardens Marble Toothbrush Holder This luxe faux marble toothbrush holder from Better Homes & Gardens looks so much more expensive than its under-$10 price tag.—
Megan Schaltegger,
People.com,
11 Mar. 2025
-
During her second pregnancy, there was the faux fur Loewe outfit in May 2023 and billowing white Valentino gown from the Met Gala that same month.—
Robyn Merrett,
StyleCaster,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
In the case of the imaginary fruit, for example, glucose and citric acid would be used.—
Gayoung Lee,
Scientific American,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Some of the stories are set in the past, others in the present, and still others in an imaginary future.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Also, Foley dealt with concussion symptoms and never played in the NHL.—
Jeremy Rutherford,
The Athletic,
5 Mar. 2025
-
The Chargers star is among the best in NFL history, with nine Pro Bowl appearances, four first-team All-Pro selections and an NFL Defensive Player of the Year award while playing for the Raiders in 2016.—
Rick Stroud,
Orlando Sentinel,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
These chemicals are all housed in their own little capsules inside the e-Taste device, and released in different combinations and concentrations to simulate different foods.—
Michael Irving,
New Atlas,
3 Mar. 2025
-
The right-hander will throw one inning and simulate more in the bullpen.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
This fake news gave white authorities the pretense to quash Black organizing and control Black labor.—
Christmaelle Vernet & Kathy Roberts Forde / Made by History,
TIME,
28 Feb. 2025
-
The reports that have gone viral on social media are fake news.—
Natasha Dye,
People.com,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The 10-episode series (now streaming) follows the follies of the fictitious NBA team, the Los Angeles Waves, after Isla Gordon (Hudson) steps in to run it with her brothers (Drew Tarver and Scott MacArthur) when another (Justin Theroux) checks into rehab.—
Erin Jensen,
USA TODAY,
1 Mar. 2025
-
Another alleged scam involved the defendants posing as fictitious real estate owners and tricking victims into thinking a legitimate sale of property was occurring, then pocketing the money.—
Terry Castleman,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretend. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share