hollow 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.
The trial of the cardinal was farcical, and a very hollow pretense of a just trial.
From Time Magazine Archive
The scene before me was a hollow pretense of grandeur and gaiety.
From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein
It may seem like hollow pretense at first, but it will pay to pretend hard; when we have pretended long enough, we shall find we no longer need to pretend.
From Problems of Conduct by Drake, Durant
From the Vatican came bull after bull, from the Escorial decree after decree, only to be archived in Manila, sometimes after a hollow pretense of compliance.
From The Social Cancer by Derbyshire, Charles E.
He needed money—money to fight with, money to live on, money to keep up his hollow pretense of respectability.
From Mortmain by Train, Arthur Cheny
