PRETEND Synonyms: 152 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'pretend' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pretend are affect , assume , counterfeit , feign , sham , and simulate . While all these words mean "to put on a false or deceptive appearance," pretend implies an overt and sustained false appearance. // pretended that nothing had happened

Q: Where would 'affect' be a reasonable alternative to 'pretend'?

In some situations, the words affect and pretend are roughly equivalent. However, affect implies making a false show of possessing, using, or feeling. // affected an interest in art

Q: When might 'assume' be a better fit than 'pretend'?

Although the words assume and pretend have much in common, assume often implies a justifiable motive rather than an intent to deceive. // assumed an air of cheerfulness around the patients

Q: In what contexts can 'counterfeit' take the place of 'pretend'?

The meanings of counterfeit and pretend largely overlap; however, counterfeit implies achieving the highest degree of verisimilitude of any of these words. // an actor counterfeiting drunkenness

Q: How does the word 'feign' relate to other synonyms for 'pretend'?

Feign implies more artful invention than pretend , less specific mimicry than simulate . // feigned sickness

Q: When is 'sham' a more appropriate choice than 'pretend'?

The words sham and pretend can be used in similar contexts, but sham implies an obvious falseness that fools only the gullible. // shammed a most unconvincing limp

Q: When can 'simulate' be used instead of 'pretend'?

While in some cases nearly identical to pretend , simulate suggests a close imitation of the appearance of something. // cosmetics that simulate a suntan

Q: How does the verb 'pretend' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pretend are affect , assume , counterfeit , feign , sham , and simulate . While all these words mean "to put on a false or deceptive appearance," pretend implies an overt and sustained false appearance. // pretended that nothing had happened

Q: Where would 'affect' be a reasonable alternative to 'pretend'?

In some situations, the words affect and pretend are roughly equivalent. However, affect implies making a false show of possessing, using, or feeling. // affected an interest in art

Q: When might 'assume' be a better fit than 'pretend'?

Although the words assume and pretend have much in common, assume often implies a justifiable motive rather than an intent to deceive. // assumed an air of cheerfulness around the patients

pretend 1 of 2

verb

pri-ˈtend

Definition of pretend next

as in to pose

to take on a false or deceptive appearance I pretended that I didn't care that my ex had a new man in her life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to assume

to present a false appearance of as if I would ever pretend illness just to take off a day from work

Synonyms & Similar Words

pretend

2 of 2

adjective

as in faux

being such in appearance only and made with or manufactured from usually cheaper materials if you were to see the movie's pretend jewels in real life, you wouldn't be fooled for a minute

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in imaginary

not real and existing only in the imagination it's just a pretend gun, so please pretend that I got you and play dead

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb pretend contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pretend are affect, assume, counterfeit, feign, sham, and simulate. While all these words mean "to put on a false or deceptive appearance," pretend implies an overt and sustained false appearance.

pretended that nothing had happened

Where would affect be a reasonable alternative to pretend?

In some situations, the words affect and pretend are roughly equivalent. However, affect implies making a false show of possessing, using, or feeling.

affected an interest in art

When might assume be a better fit than pretend?

Although the words assume and pretend have much in common, assume often implies a justifiable motive rather than an intent to deceive.

assumed an air of cheerfulness around the patients

In what contexts can counterfeit take the place of pretend?

The meanings of counterfeit and pretend largely overlap; however, counterfeit implies achieving the highest degree of verisimilitude of any of these words.

an actor counterfeiting drunkenness

How does the word feign relate to other synonyms for pretend?

Feign implies more artful invention than pretend, less specific mimicry than simulate.

feigned sickness

When is sham a more appropriate choice than pretend?

The words sham and pretend can be used in similar contexts, but sham implies an obvious falseness that fools only the gullible.

shammed a most unconvincing limp

When can simulate be used instead of pretend?

While in some cases nearly identical to pretend, simulate suggests a close imitation of the appearance of something.

cosmetics that simulate a suntan

How does the verb pretend contrast with its synonyms?

pretended that nothing had happened

Where would affect be a reasonable alternative to pretend?

In some situations, the words affect and pretend are roughly equivalent. However, affect implies making a false show of possessing, using, or feeling.

affected an interest in art

When might assume be a better fit than pretend?

Although the words assume and pretend have much in common, assume often implies a justifiable motive rather than an intent to deceive.

assumed an air of cheerfulness around the patients

In what contexts can counterfeit take the place of pretend?

The meanings of counterfeit and pretend largely overlap; however, counterfeit implies achieving the highest degree of verisimilitude of any of these words.

an actor counterfeiting drunkenness

How does the word feign relate to other synonyms for pretend?

Feign implies more artful invention than pretend, less specific mimicry than simulate.

feigned sickness

When is sham a more appropriate choice than pretend?

The words sham and pretend can be used in similar contexts, but sham implies an obvious falseness that fools only the gullible.

shammed a most unconvincing limp

When can simulate be used instead of pretend?

While in some cases nearly identical to pretend, simulate suggests a close imitation of the appearance of something.

cosmetics that simulate a suntan

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of pretend

Verb

During one set of exercises in May, a group of Ukrainian drone operators was invited to play the red team, pretending to be NATO’s adversaries. —

Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026 No one is pretending otherwise. —

Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026

Adjective

Those studies used a pretend tea party to see if kids could track an imaginary object, like a cup of pretend juice. —

Nathan Rott, NPR, 10 Feb. 2026 Why not put pretend stethoscopes and pill bottles into the boxes and sell them as toy doctor’s kits? —

Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pretend

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretend

Verb

The invader is a skillful art restorer, Lori Butler (Michaela Coel), who’s been hired by Julian’s greedy children, Barnaby (James Corden) and Sallie (Jessica Gunning), to work, or pose, as their father’s new assistant.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
Juvenile great whites typically pose little danger to humans, but have been known to bite defensively when hooked.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026

Definition of pose

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preteens

pretend

pretended

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“Pretend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretend. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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Synonyms of pretend

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