variants
or pretence
1
as in affectation
the quality or state of appearing or trying to appear more important or more valuable than is the case
she seemed to be a very down-to-earth woman who was completely free of pretense
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in airs
a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive
her display of bravado was just a pretense
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in claim
an entitlement to something
this book on gardening makes no pretense at completeness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in arrogance
an exaggerated sense of one's importance that shows itself in the making of excessive or unjustified claims
the pretense of that woman in thinking that the other hotel guests should be inconvenienced just for her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pretense
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Washington under the pretense of negotiating a peace deal.
—
Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
But in the media-state singularity, there is not even the pretense of space between the two worlds.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2025
This gives the lie to the election season pretense that only those guilty of violent nonimmigration crimes would be targeted for deportation.
—Chicago Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025
Contemporary generative AI and LLMs are already capable of taking on pretenses, referred to as personas.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretense
Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
But in the media-state singularity, there is not even the pretense of space between the two worlds.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2025
This gives the lie to the election season pretense that only those guilty of violent nonimmigration crimes would be targeted for deportation.
—Chicago Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025
Contemporary generative AI and LLMs are already capable of taking on pretenses, referred to as personas.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretense
Noun
-
Slumming with her sister in San Francisco after her life with her Madoff-like ex in New York implodes, Jasmine Francis isn't quite willing to let go of the affectations that come with living in high society.—
EW Staff,
EW.com,
2 Mar. 2025
-
Unlike Chase, Aykroyd worked hard to retain Carter’s affectations and appearance, while also adding a slyness that implied a deeper calculation.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Now, as the arbitration process for art restitution is evolving in Germany, new documents plus a new claim have revived their complicated case.—
The Editors of ARTnews,
ARTnews.com,
19 Mar. 2025
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According to the agency, 2.81 million claims for these benefits have been completed so far in 2025.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The toxic combination of Trump’s pro-Russia leanings, Vice President J. D. Vance’s arrogance and condescension, and Musk’s sad case of advanced poster’s disease have tanked America’s reputation among its traditional allies.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2025
-
But jealousy and arrogance get the best of Hamilton, who insinuates himself into the defense team, believing this action will help his political and financial setbacks.—
Oline H. Cogdill,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Harrington recently appeared on the Cookie Jar Golf podcast and opened up about how the then-21-year-old McIlroy shattered his pretensions as a heavy favorite to win the title.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
25 Feb. 2025
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Rush were almost in danger of becoming too brainy and obscure for their own good by the end of the ’70s, but the band would rein in their pretensions with tighter songwriting in the albums that would follow. 5.—
Al Shipley,
SPIN,
12 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The band then became the first act to debut at No. 1 with its first six chart entries in the nearly 69-year history of the chart.—
Rania Aniftos,
Billboard,
11 Mar. 2025
-
Best Music Film: A Competitive Race The Best Music Film category has honored a mix of living legends and modern acts in recent years.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Wealth isn’t about intelligence or moral superiority.—
Greg Clement,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Lopez and the co-sponsors want to cloak themselves in moral superiority and call it a day.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
This sophomore outing will unspool over the show's internal timespan of four years, with its dozen chapters cut into four three-episode slices.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
10 Mar. 2025
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She's been absent from the show since 2013, but returned this season as a Friend — though likely not as a Friend of Judge's.—
Dave Quinn,
People.com,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
European countries are ditching their decades-old assumptions and becoming proactive players in their own right.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
11 Mar. 2025
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However, many professionals in the field are beginning to acknowledge that these requirements stem from outdated assumptions.—
Jesse Rhoades,
The Conversation,
11 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretense. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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