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
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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pretense
In the most recent suit, filed Dec. 27 in Los Angeles County Superior Court, former patients accuse Brock of groping their breasts and genitals unnecessarily under the pretense of legitimate medical examinations.
—
Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025
Both Loughlin and Giannulli, 57, pleaded guilty last May to paying $500,000 in bribes to get Olivia Jade and Isabella fraudulently admitted to the University of Southern California on the pretense of being recruits for the school’s rowing team.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 5 Dec. 2024
Relationships can endure an awful lot, the play asserts, but not false intimacy—not the pretense of something that should be sacred.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 24 Dec. 2024
Soka University Disturbingly, even while not issuing credit, many of these colleges and universities let students waive out of the introductory classes—giving the pretense of some benefit but with no loss of tuition revenue for the school.
—Paul Weinstein Jr., Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pretense 
Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025
Both Loughlin and Giannulli, 57, pleaded guilty last May to paying $500,000 in bribes to get Olivia Jade and Isabella fraudulently admitted to the University of Southern California on the pretense of being recruits for the school’s rowing team.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 5 Dec. 2024
Relationships can endure an awful lot, the play asserts, but not false intimacy—not the pretense of something that should be sacred.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 24 Dec. 2024
Soka University Disturbingly, even while not issuing credit, many of these colleges and universities let students waive out of the introductory classes—giving the pretense of some benefit but with no loss of tuition revenue for the school.
—Paul Weinstein Jr., Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pretense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretense
Noun
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In the beginning of the series, which starts in the 1950s and goes through the AIDS epidemic, Tim is still boyish, and his affinity for milk is just another cute affectation that catches Hawk’s eye.—
Allison P. Davis,
Vulture,
27 Dec. 2024
-
In the 2010s, baking sourdough bread at home went from quirky, hippie affectation to a serious hobby.—
Meghan McCarron,
New York Times,
24 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
When asked for evidence to back up his claim, Ward could not provide it.—
David Gilbert,
WIRED,
30 Jan. 2025
-
Under the settlements, Simmons did not admit any wrongdoing, and the confidential agreements do not explicitly state the women’s claims against him.—
Stacy Perman,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
All of which meant that when economists gathered in San Francisco this month for the annual meeting of the American Economic Association, there was a sense that their famous confidence — critics would say arrogance — had been, if not shattered, certainly dealt a body blow.—
Ben Casselman,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2025
-
Relevant reality skills: Rob, while deadly charming, has always played Survivor by putting his confidence (some would say cockiness) and expertise (some would say arrogance) on full display.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
6 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Even Saanen’s most renowned, high-end establishments remain low-key and devoid of pretension, like 16 ART-BAR-RESTAURANT, credited by Michelin as Bib Gourmand for an experience and culinary offering that is both high quality and good value.—
Monica Mendal,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2025
-
This was the night that any pretensions over Arsenal possessing the requisite firepower to compete on four fronts were put to bed.—
Jordan Campbell,
The Athletic,
7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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From the tragedy and the tireless efforts of advocates, an act of Congress mandated the government to offer support to families following airline disasters.—
Michelle Watson,
CNN,
3 Feb. 2025
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Despite some inevitable inaccuracies and omissions, the memoir remains the best portrait of Mahler in print—an act of complex, intense devotion.—
Alex Ross,
The New Yorker,
3 Feb. 2025
Noun
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That sense of superiority, while warranted, has been a problem for Tomás and his family in the past.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
24 Jan. 2025
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Armstrong even noted bitcoin’s superiority over gold regarding divisibility and portability.—
Becca Bratcher,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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That made this show possible, as well as a previous piece from New York’s Elevator Repair Service.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Feb. 2025
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The show is available live and on-demand for Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers.—
Lucia Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
2 Feb. 2025
Noun
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In addition, any opinions and assumptions expressed herein are made as of the date of this communication and are subject to change and/or withdrawal without notice.—
Katie Stockton,
CNBC,
3 Feb. 2025
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The real magic happens when people bring ideas to life — when teams push boundaries, challenge assumptions and pour their passion into building something extraordinary.—
Calvin Rasode,
Rolling Stone,
3 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near pretense
Cite this Entry
“Pretense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretense. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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