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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pretense
Under the pretense of getting a suit Hector can wear in court, Cherry snoops around their bedroom.
—
Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
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
For more about how to tell generative AI to carry out a pretense, known as an AI persona, see my coverage at the link here.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretense
Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
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
For more about how to tell generative AI to carry out a pretense, known as an AI persona, see my coverage at the link here.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretense
Noun
-
The interaction between Briony and Jamie starts off amiably, with Jamie needling Briony for her posh affectations.—
Doreen St. Félix,
The New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
May Impact Mood Proponents of the carnivore diet claim that following the diet may improve mood and mental health.—
Elizabeth Barnes,
Verywell Health,
31 Mar. 2025
-
Monday's volatility followed a global sell-off earlier in the day, as concerns mounted over the potential impact of the tariffs, which Trump claims will help revive U.S. manufacturing jobs.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Most are due to unnecessary escalation, creating disengagement, authoritative behaviors, arrogance and ego.—
Joao Mendes-Roter,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Musk’s casual Friday attire just shows his arrogance and disrespect for American government.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
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While their goal is to defend against perceptions of pretension, Ms. Lasky expressed respect for chefs who opted to describe their craft more elaborately on menus.—
Sam Corbin,
New York Times,
11 Feb. 2025
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The restaurant's elegant interior, with its high ceilings and classic décor, creates an atmosphere of refined sophistication without pretension—the ideal setting to contemplate the driving adventures that await.—
Shelby Knick,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Dine on everything from pate en croute to Faroe Island salmon while taking in a performance from a wide-range of legendary performers: this spring alone sees acts from Glee’s Matthew Morrison to Jeff Goldblum.—
Elise Taylor,
Vogue,
4 Apr. 2025
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Sudden Bitcoin Price ‘Crisis Scenario’ Fear Just behind Cyrus is another rock act with an incredibly bold title.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The hypocrisies of what might be called humanity’s delusions of superiority suggest the need for deeper questioning.—
Billy J. Stratton,
The Conversation,
7 Apr. 2025
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His superiority was self-evident, like the rays of the sun.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The Oscar winner — who both wrote and stars in the stage adaptation of the 2005 movie Good Night, and Good Luck — celebrated the official Broadway opening of the show at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City on Thursday, April 3, without his wife.—
Dave Quinn,
People.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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The White Lotus Season 3 finale is this weekend and one character will not make it out of the show alive.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The assumption is the Wolves won’t be able to do that in each of their final five games, even with one of the league’s most favorable remaining schedules.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Intricate supply chains and trillions of dollars in investments—made over years based on assumptions of a world where trade barriers were being reduced or would remain constant—are now being upended.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretense. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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