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.

The vice president pretended to pivot from “a longer discussion” of the subject, but then he immediately started pontificating about the culture’s “desire” to classify “celestial beings who fly around “as aliens.”

From Salon

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

pretend

Example Sentences

Related Words