false pretension

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.

It is a clear case of false pretension.

From Gryll Grange by Peacock, Thomas Love

"A fault in manner," he says, "is laughable; a false pretension is ridiculous, a situation which exposes vice to detestation is comic, a bon mot is pleasant."

From History of English Humour, Vol. 2 by L'Estrange, Alfred Guy Kingan

He was willing to do it,—but was not willing that there should be any soft-worded, high-toned false pretension.

From The Prime Minister by Trollope, Anthony

Now, any British Mason will see at a glance that all this is a false pretension.

From Secret Societies And Subversive Movements by Webster, Nesta H.

But at that critical period of their daughter's life, they were ignorant of human nature, and entirely unskilled in the means of detecting false pretension, or discovering true merit.

From The Lights and Shadows of Real Life by Arthur, T. S. (Timothy Shay)