pretense

[pri-tens, pree-tens] / prɪˈtɛns, ˈpri tɛns /

NOUN

falsehood, affected show; cover

Synonyms

STRONGEST

charade cloak pretext semblance veneer

STRONG

act acting affectation appearance artifice claim deceit deception display dissimulation double-dealing evasion excuse fabrication facade fakery falsification feigning gag guise insincerity invention make believe mask masquerade misrepresentation misstatement ostentation posing posturing pretentiousness routine ruse schtick sham shuffling simulation stall stunt subterfuge trickery veil wile

WEAK

dumb act faking

Antonyms

STRONGEST

reality

STRONG

frankness honesty honor openness quiet simplicity truth truthfulness uprightness

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.

For those of my generation who were fortunate enough to go to college, it did expose much of the pretense of higher education and made us admit as much.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

Yet he did not muster even the pretense of evidence that they pose an “imminent threat.”

From Slate • Feb. 28, 2026

She had been through life’s fires and knew that when it’s a fit, it should not be based on any false pretense.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 12, 2025

The question then becomes: Will fans still tune into college games when there’s no pretense the players are students?

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 24, 2025

At some point Danny and Vinny dropped even the pretense that they were seeking new information about credit default swaps and subprime mortgage bonds.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

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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