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.

Shredded was the pretense that men’s Division I basketball and football players are amateurs—and the NCAA’s ability to regulate sports.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

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

By the end, he abandons any pretense of legal reasoning, quoting lines from the majority and waving them away as “misleading,” without any explanation.

From Slate • Nov. 20, 2025

His publicists invited her under the pretense of a business dinner with Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour, then White surprised Dobrev instead.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 11, 2025

On Smith Island to the south of us there was no high school, not even the pretense of one that we had on Rass.

From "Jacob Have I Loved" by Katherine Paterson

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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