false pretense

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.

She had been through life’s fires and knew that when it’s a fit, it should not be based on any false pretense.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 12, 2025

Eight crimes listed in the 1890 version of the provision - bribery, theft, arson, obtaining money or goods under false pretense, perjury, forgery, embezzlement and bigamy - remain as disqualifying offenses today.

From Reuters • Jun. 30, 2023

Twitter argues that Musk signed a contract to buy the company, and is using spam accounts as a false pretense to worm his way out of the deal.

From The Verge • Aug. 3, 2022

And this seems to be not even with a veneer of false pretense.

From Slate • May 25, 2021

Ollie brought me here under a false pretense, and I've finally learned a piece of information that could be useful, but he's told me help is impossible without really explaining why.

From "Girl in the Blue Coat" by Monica Hesse