Thesaurus results for PRETEXT

Q: How does the noun 'pretext' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pretext are alibi , apologia , apology , excuse , and plea . While all these words mean "matter offered in explanation or defense," pretext suggests subterfuge and the offering of false reasons or motives in excuse or explanation. // used any pretext to get out of work

Q: Where would 'alibi' be a reasonable alternative to 'pretext'?

The synonyms alibi and pretext are sometimes interchangeable, but alibi implies a desire to shift blame or evade punishment and imputes mere plausibility to the explanation. // his alibi failed to stand scrutiny

Q: When might 'apologia' be a better fit than 'pretext'?

While the synonyms apologia and pretext are close in meaning, apologia implies not admission of guilt or regret but a desire to make clear the grounds for some course, belief, or position. // his speech was an apologia for his foreign policy

Q: When is it sensible to use 'apology' instead of 'pretext'?

In some situations, the words apology and pretext are roughly equivalent. However, apology usually applies to an expression of regret for a mistake or wrong with implied admission of guilt or fault and with or without reference to mitigating or extenuating circumstances. // said by way of apology that he would have met them if he could

Q: In what contexts can 'excuse' take the place of 'pretext'?

The meanings of excuse and pretext largely overlap; however, excuse implies an intent to avoid or remove blame or censure. // used illness as an excuse for missing the meeting

Q: When would 'plea' be a good substitute for 'pretext'?

The words plea and pretext are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, plea stresses argument or appeal for understanding or sympathy or mercy. // her usual plea that she was nearsighted

pretext

noun

Definition of pretext next

as in justification

a false ground that you give to hide why you are really doing something The leaders used a minor clash at the border as a pretext for war.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun pretext contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pretext are alibi, apologia, apology, excuse, and plea. While all these words mean "matter offered in explanation or defense," pretext suggests subterfuge and the offering of false reasons or motives in excuse or explanation.

used any pretext to get out of work

Where would alibi be a reasonable alternative to pretext?

The synonyms alibi and pretext are sometimes interchangeable, but alibi implies a desire to shift blame or evade punishment and imputes mere plausibility to the explanation.

his alibi failed to stand scrutiny

When might apologia be a better fit than pretext?

While the synonyms apologia and pretext are close in meaning, apologia implies not admission of guilt or regret but a desire to make clear the grounds for some course, belief, or position.

his speech was an apologia for his foreign policy

When is it sensible to use apology instead of pretext?

In some situations, the words apology and pretext are roughly equivalent. However, apology usually applies to an expression of regret for a mistake or wrong with implied admission of guilt or fault and with or without reference to mitigating or extenuating circumstances.

said by way of apology that he would have met them if he could

In what contexts can excuse take the place of pretext?

The meanings of excuse and pretext largely overlap; however, excuse implies an intent to avoid or remove blame or censure.

used illness as an excuse for missing the meeting

When would plea be a good substitute for pretext?

The words plea and pretext are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, plea stresses argument or appeal for understanding or sympathy or mercy.

her usual plea that she was nearsighted

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 pretext Faraji was fired shortly after Bayless left the network, and given a false pretext for her termination, according to the suit. —

Rudy Chinchilla, NBC News, 6 Jan. 2025 The lawsuit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia alleges that the Biden administration used the government review process as a pretext to reject the merger as a favor to the United Steelworkers (USW) labor union. —

Max Zahn, ABC News, 6 Jan. 2025 For a second attempt to work, Yoon would need much more cooperation from the military — and a more plausible pretext, such as conflict with North Korea. —

Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2024 The unsubstantiated claim that Spain had buried a bomb in the U.S.S. Maine became the pretext for the Spanish-American War. —

Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pretext

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretext

Noun

The representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent to their offices Sunday about the justification by DHS for terminating TPS for Venezuelan recipients who’d received the designation from the Biden administration in 2023.

— Claire Healy, Miami Herald, 2 Feb. 2025
On Thursday, a USAID human resources official who tried to reverse the action, saying there was no justification for it, was himself placed on leave, according to two of the officials who had viewed internal emails and verified them as authentic.

— Matthew Lee, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025