pretended

[pri-ten-did] / prɪˈtɛn dɪd /

ADJECTIVE

alleged; imaginary

Synonyms

STRONG

affected assumed avowed bluffing cheating concealed counterfeit covered dissimulated fake falsified feigned lying masked mock pretend professed purported quack sham shammed simulated supposed

WEAK

artificial bogus charlatan factitious false fictitious impostrous imposturous make believe ostensible phony pseudo put on so-called spurious

Antonyms

STRONG

bare exposed genuine open original real revealed true

WEAK

sincere

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But as Hull wrote: “Spirit Airlines wasn’t perfect. But it was safe, and it never pretended to be something it wasn’t.”

From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026

“Not only has he not come up with a plan, he has pretended we don’t need one,” said Patrick Murphy, a professor of public affairs at the University of San Francisco.

From Los Angeles Times • May 3, 2026

In response to the criticism, Patel has pretended that his detractors are just jealous of his girlfriend.

From Salon • Apr. 24, 2026

One even pretended to be living with HIV.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

We all pretended that we didn’t hear her and dove beneath the surface.

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

pretended

Example Sentences

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