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Definitions

pretend

[pri-tend] / prɪˈtɛnd /
VERB
fake, falsify
Synonyms
STRONGEST
assume bluff feign fool impersonate profess purport put on
STRONG
act affect allege beguile cheat claim counterfeit cozen deceive delude dissemble dissimulate dupe fish fudge hoodwink jazz jive malinger masquerade mislead sham simulate stonewall sucker whitewash
WEAK
be deceitful be hypocritical claim falsely fake out lay claim let on make out pass off pass oneself off as put up a front
Antonyms
STRONG
be honest deny reveal tell the truth
VERB
play the part of
Synonyms
STRONGEST
imitate impersonate purport suppose
STRONG
act imagine masquerade mimic play playact portray pose represent reproduce
WEAK
assume the role make as if make believe make out like make up put on a front put on airs put on an act
Antonyms
STRONGEST
be original differ oppose reverse
STRONG
stop
WEAK
be honest tell the truth

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.

Too embarrassed to admit his mistake, he ends up pretending to tape their conversation.

From The Wall Street Journal

You pretend to concentrate on straightening a blanket edge.

From Literature

I lift my shoulder, try to pretend it’s not a big deal even though it is, because the truth is, I don’t even know.

From Literature

They were the only creatures alive who even pretended to like him.

From Literature

With the writer’s blessing he jotted down their conversations and interviewed his friends and associates; McMurtry tolerated these intrusions “as long as he could pretend I wasn’t writing a book,” Mr. Streitfeld tells us.

From The Wall Street Journal

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.