variants
or pretences
1
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pretensions
an entitlement to something
this book on gardening makes no pretense at completeness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pretenses
Harold is so clearly not a great man that his pretenses feel more like cries for help.
—
Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
They were arraigned on Friday in Brockton District Court on one count each of larceny over $1,200 by false pretenses, embezzlement, and conspiracy.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
Since then, immigration raids have escalated — often under questionable pretenses.
—Sonia Banker, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2025
And yet, somewhere in the city, someone is being arrested and detained as an enemy of the state under dodgy pretenses.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Aug. 2025
Personas are pretenses, so keep a clear head accordingly.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025
This may seem to be an inadequate and weak response to a president and governor who are seizing control on false pretenses.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2025
Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
They were arraigned on Friday in Brockton District Court on one count each of larceny over $1,200 by false pretenses, embezzlement, and conspiracy.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
Since then, immigration raids have escalated — often under questionable pretenses.
—Sonia Banker, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2025
And yet, somewhere in the city, someone is being arrested and detained as an enemy of the state under dodgy pretenses.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Aug. 2025
Personas are pretenses, so keep a clear head accordingly.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025
This may seem to be an inadequate and weak response to a president and governor who are seizing control on false pretenses.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretenses
Noun
-
The Drew Barrymore Show airs weekdays on CBS.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Sep. 2025
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The series premiere of About Face airs Wednesday, October 29 at 10pm ET/PT on TLC.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Such pretensions on the part of the mega-rich aren’t new; Lowell reminds us of that.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The complaint includes claims for trademark infringement, counterfeiting, unfair competition and deceptive trade practices.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
20 Sep. 2025
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Lizzo denied those claims, while Fallon and Clarkson apologized to staff, and their shows remain on the air.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
20 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The pictures show the wide-eyed feline in a series of irresistible poses—lying on her back exposing her soft belly, sitting upright with her bright blue eyes gleaming, and playfully posing for the camera.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
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For the past decade, analysts have debated how much of a threat the clean energy transition poses to the oil and gas industry.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Start with small acts of inclusion and put inclusion into action.—
Julie Kratz,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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The acts also got the chance to meet members of the royal family.—
Mark Gray,
PEOPLE,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Stop forcing parents to choose between their careers and their families, and instead empower them to succeed on both fronts.—
Liz Teran,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Wilcox’s defenses have multiple fronts using four and three down linemen, stemming on the same play and disguised coverages.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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However, the event pages for both performances now state that the shows have been canceled.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
20 Sep. 2025
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Swift canceled three shows in Vienna, Austria, while on the European leg of the Eras Tour in August 2024 after authorities discovered a planned terror attack targeting her concerts.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
20 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Townshend recalled performing in Chicago at a small club turned roller rink called the Kinetic Playground, 1969 performances with a particularly special opening act.—
Jim Ryan,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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Celebrity contestants are taking the stage with personal anthem performances, launching a new season of competition and fan voting.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretenses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretenses. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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