pretend
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.
See Examples For:
Or an acknowledgment that not all cats are as cool as they pretend to be.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
Picture-perfect, Mozart-drunk Salzburg can’t pretend everything is fine.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026
Jamil later defended her post, pointing to the “young girls” who are watching the situation unfold, adding, “We don’t have to pretend we are blind because it’s a pop star.”
From Salon ● Aug. 5, 2026
Alex was 19 at the time, but says to protect herself she "felt the need" to pretend to be younger when she met Leto.
From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026
She hated the stories Alex told about her home in the city, because she wanted to pretend that Alex could stay on the island forever and ever.
From "Nim’s Island" by Wendy Orr
The case not only ignores these major competitors in the theatrical market but also pretends this market represents the entirety of the competitive playing field.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
"He is not happy, he pretends he is happy," said Tamim.
From Barron's ● Jun. 17, 2026
Under the blazing Vegas sun, giant billboards advertise "Live Enhanced" as the baritone voice of a sports announcer pretends to introduce British swimmer Ben Proud and other athletes.
From BBC ● May 23, 2026
“He’s not crazy, he only pretends to be” isn’t a viable defense in the real world.
From Salon ● Apr. 10, 2026
All at once, Mom bursts out laughing, Connor shrieks, and Jack pretends to swipe for the box filled with candy.
From "The Sea in Winter" by Christine Day
Rand pretended to be me and I pretended to be Rand,” he says.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026
In response to a separate question about political disquiet, Forbes said that "politicians have pretended to be able to deliver utopia for too long".
From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026
He opened the door to the briefing room a crack, drew a laugh as he pretended to sneak in, made a short announcement and took questions.
From Salon ● Jun. 12, 2026
It’s been widely reported that in the ’80s and ’90s, Trump sometimes pretended to be his own publicist, John Barron, when talking to reporters.
From Slate ● Jun. 11, 2026
That day, when my friends and I were watching our little cows, I pretended to be one of the village warriors.
From "Facing the Lion" by Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton and Herman Viola
That wasn’t the plan — no one in the Ramones, their management or their record company was pretending that commercial success wasn’t important to them.
From Salon ● Aug. 10, 2026
Salzburg, Austria — “Optimism doesn’t mean pretending everything is fine,” the Belarusian flutist and political activist Maria Kalesnikava said in this year’s Salzburg Festival keynote address.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026
Nobody in Austin is pretending this is easy or cheap.
From Slate ● Jul. 31, 2026
And now a warning: This could also be an elaborate scam — a scammer pretending to be from Fidelity.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 31, 2026
“Wait, are you sure you’re not just pretending to be a soothsayer?”
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
Vocabulary lists containing pretend
"Eleven"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"Eleven," Vocabulary from the short story
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll, Chapters 1–3
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
