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
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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
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Recent Examples of pretense
And Terry Tucker’s Boxing Gym presents the high stakes of Hemingway’s bullring, an existential arena where pretense and fakery are violently exposed.
—
Book Marks
june 5, Literary Hub, 5 June 2025
But his heart remained on the South Side, where fans appreciated him for his workmanlike approach, his quick pace and a lack of pretense.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
The federal indictment alleged that Combs and his associates lured female victims, often under the pretense of a romantic relationship.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2025
The federal indictment alleges that Combs and his associates lured two of the women under the pretense of a romantic relationship.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretense
Book Marks
june 5, Literary Hub, 5 June 2025
But his heart remained on the South Side, where fans appreciated him for his workmanlike approach, his quick pace and a lack of pretense.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
The federal indictment alleged that Combs and his associates lured female victims, often under the pretense of a romantic relationship.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2025
The federal indictment alleges that Combs and his associates lured two of the women under the pretense of a romantic relationship.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretense
Noun
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From our review: Tessa Van den Broeck, a newcomer, plays Julie with zero affectation.—
The New York Times,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
-
No fussy affectations, just a deliberate tamping down of his more charismatic qualities.—
A.A. Dowd,
Rolling Stone,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Insurance companies are now using artificial intelligence to process batches of claims instead of giving claims individual attention.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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Success will likely depend on demonstrating clear ROI while building the regulatory credibility that only comes with time and successful claim filings.—
Josipa Majic Predin,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
Noun
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The sweeping track was inspired in part by Rebecca Solnit’s 2014 collection Men Explain Things to Me, with the titular essay providing a scathing look at male arrogance and how conversations between men and women go awry.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
16 July 2025
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But nothing in his tenure captures all at once the sense of arrogance, tone-deafness to the concerns of Floridians and obsession with keeping secrets.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 June 2025
Noun
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Instead of Jimmy Kimmel, a memorable host in the recent past with a keen appreciation for puncturing pretensions, there is Conan O’Brien who, while familiar, remains an unknown quantity in how politically barbed his opening monologue might be.—
Stephen Schaefer,
Boston Herald,
25 Feb. 2025
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Each installment was a chance for a new joke, a new observation—about fashion, dating, public restrooms, artistic pretensions, being mistaken for a man—in an era when popular depictions of lesbian experience were rare.—
Charlie Tyson,
New Yorker,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
Sometimes, a performer sings and manipulates the puppet, but groups can perform, with each member focusing on one piece of the act.—
Ryan Garza,
Freep.com,
2 Aug. 2025
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For Rollins to potentially allow his nemesis to achieve his dream of winning a world title, only to snatch it away moments later, would be a devastating and personal act of villainy.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Being the world's most valuable company is not a sign of permanent superiority.—
Nur Hikmah Md Ali,
CNBC,
10 July 2025
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What To Know According to a French intelligence report shared with the Associated Press, Chinese diplomats worked to publicize the downing of Rafale jets during the conflict while promoting the superiority of Chinese fighter aircraft.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 July 2025
Noun
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Though Colbert's show has been nominated for 33 Emmys in all, across various categories, since 2017, it's never won.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
2 Aug. 2025
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Althoff seamlessly entered a field of beloved celebrity interview shows known for unconventional charm.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The assumption is that the Best Music Festival will provide the best music, but the title mainly means that the festival was put together by Best Video, the landmark video store and cultural center in Hamden.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
2 Aug. 2025
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At the midpoint, the capex assumptions exceeded the $5.11 billion expected.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
1 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretense. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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