under false pretenses

idiom

: by saying something that is not true, by pretending something, etc.

A reporter obtained documents from the company under false pretenses.

Examples of under false pretenses in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

Render alleges that he was placed under citizen’s arrest under false pretenses. —

Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Feb. 2025 Trump seems to at least in part have made this move against Canada under false pretenses. —

The Editors, National Review, 2 Feb. 2025 This is not the first time in recent weeks that authorities have arrested people accused of trying to enter evacuation zones under false pretenses. —

Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2025 Eiffel and members of the company’s management were charged with raising money under false pretenses and misuse of funds. —

Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 25 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for under false pretenses

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“Under false pretenses.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/under%20false%20pretenses. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.

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