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.
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He’s too busy feathering his own nest while laughing off any pretense of ethical behavior.
From Salon ● Oct. 9, 2026
She suggests crafting messages that offer the pretense of networking while preserving ambiguity.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
Rubio added that the Nicaraguan leader and his wife, Rosario Murillo, whom Ortega named as his "co-president" in February 2025, had "abandoned even the pretense of popular consent".
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
Eschewing any pretense of modesty, he says the Kennedy decision was a dead letter.
From Slate ● Jul. 1, 2026
Orr asked with a pretense of pensive curiosity.
From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller
States have resorted to Rube Goldberg-like schemes to obtain drugs from abroad, sometimes under false pretenses, or have used drugs that are expired or improperly stored.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026
Barofsky said Fain declared under false pretenses that Boyer had been derelict in his duties.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026
But that news is tempered by the drumbeat of reports from the other end of the airport, where scores of arriving travelers have been detained in frightening conditions and under flimsy pretenses.
From Slate ● Jul. 10, 2025
“Not every spy is to your flavor of monogamy,” Kathryn tells George when he organizes a dinner party to begin sniffing out the mole under false pretenses.
From Salon ● Mar. 14, 2025
I came to this camp under false pretenses and lies.
From "First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers" by Loung Ung
Vocabulary lists containing pretense
"The Crucible" -- Vocabulary from all 4 Acts
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"The Crucible" -- Vocabulary from Act 1
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"The Crucible" -- Vocabulary from Act 2
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