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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playacting
Noun
-
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
Noun
-
John Lithgow is a renowned and respected actor, having appeared in 3rd Rock from the Sun, Shrek, The World According to Garp, Dexter, Conclave, and many more shows and movies.—
Callum Booth,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Georgina was the show’s most frequent recurring guest through its original six seasons, and every plot line grew more ridiculous and over-the-top than the last.—
Brittany Spanos,
Rolling Stone,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Wind chills in this region could reach 20 degrees, posing a significant threat to people and property.—
Kevin Lynn,
Newsweek,
8 Jan. 2025
-
Wind chills in this region could reach 20 degrees, posing a significant threat to people and property.—
Kevin Lynn,
Newsweek,
8 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Casa Loewe’s golden facade brightens the Jing’an Kerry Center commercial district.—
WWD,
WWD,
28 Feb. 2025
-
This will feature lots of natural light thanks to the skylights already mentioned, plus a transparent facade made up of aluminum and glass, with glazed louvers.—
Adam Williams,
New Atlas,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
While opening acts haven’t been officially announced yet for the stadium shows, Blackpink concerts are known for their elaborate production and full-evening experiences.—
Jenzia Burgos,
StyleCaster,
27 Feb. 2025
-
California rock band Incubus will be the headlining act at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival 2025 on Thursday night (Feb. 27).—
Isabela Raygoza,
Billboard,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Presidents of both parties have installed acting officials in high-ranking positions in their administrations.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
31 Dec. 2024
-
Those officials could be then tapped for acting positions.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
31 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
According to certain cosmologies, their souls take on the guise of marine creatures—an idea that struck me as strangely comforting.—
Julian Lucas,
The New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Those influences are often deliberate — coy and canny reworkings of previous themes and character types, presented again in new guises and winking reflections.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Playacting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playacting. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share