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Showing results for pretext. Search instead for pretexted.
Definitions

pretext

[pree-tekst] / ˈpri tɛkst /


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.

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She believed they were duped by the daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma under the pretext of attending a personal development course in Russia.

From Barron's Aug. 19, 2026

Clement’s lawyer said in a statement that the report found against her “on the pretext of ‘perception,’ the source of which was rumour, gossip and innuendo.”

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 22, 2026

We still see this in so many cases involving the Fourth Amendment, when police use the alleged smell of marijuana as a pretext for an illegal search.

From Slate Jun. 18, 2026

“We’re worried this is a pretext for people to fall out of the asylum system and fall out of the workforce,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 12, 2026

“I wish to have it accomplished under pretext that may deceive both them and the Public,” wrote the president.

From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis

No surprise, the panel agreed with him and concocted pretexts to kill the treatment—for instance, the staff opined that maybe biopsies had zapped the tumors.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 28, 2026

Actions over the Fed building were "pretexts", he said.

From BBC Jan. 12, 2026

The same month Iraq's embassy in Moscow warned of "attempts to lure or coerce some Iraqis residing in Russia or abroad into joining the war under various pretexts".

From Barron's Nov. 5, 2025

In Philadelphia, for example, after the aforementioned drop in citations, the city decided to phase out police enforcement of minor traffic violations, including dubious pretexts like “rearview mirror decorations.”

From Slate Apr. 25, 2023

The great difficulty in administering Periculoso arose over more usual pretexts.

From Medieval English Nunneries c. 1275 to 1535 by Eileen Power




Vocabulary lists containing pretext


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