pretense
noun
pre·tense
ˈprē-ˌten(t)s 
pri-ˈten(t)s
variants
or pretence
1
: a claim made or implied
especially
: one not supported by fact
2
a
: mere ostentation : pretentiousness
confuse dignity with pomposity and pretense—
Bennett Cerf
Bennett Cerf
b
: a pretentious act or assertion
3
: an inadequate or insincere attempt to attain a certain condition or quality
4
: professed rather than real intention or purpose : pretext
was there under false pretenses
5
6
: false show : simulation
saw through his pretense of indifference
Synonyms
Examples of pretense in a Sentence
We tried to keep up the pretense that everything was fine.
Their indifference is merely pretense.
Recent Examples on the Web
Lured to the Washington, D.C., area on the pretense of a training junket, he was arrested and charged with federal drug crimes before agreeing to cooperate, officials said.
—Tim Golden, ProPublica, 31 Jan. 2024
One count of false pretenses — more than $20,000 but less than $50,000 — a 15-year felony.
—Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 3 Jan. 2024
There is not even the pretense of democracy there; citizens have no right to dissent or elect their leaders.
—Bernie Sanders, Foreign Affairs, 18 Mar. 2024
The former President, who famously used his office’s authority to unilaterally slap import duties on foreign steel under the pretense of national security, is notoriously tough on China.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2024
Oh yes, the other co-author tried a similar bill two years ago, without even the pretense of democracy, and just failed.
—Stefan Bean, Orange County Register, 12 Feb. 2024
In June, prosecutors charged him with a third felony — obtaining money, labor or property by false pretenses.
—Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2024
Fans willing to overlook the obvious vapidity of director Rob Reiner, a hostile Democrat-progressive zealot, prove that some conservatives are bamboozled by liberalism’s kindly pretense.
—Armond White, National Review, 21 Feb. 2024
Our misguided nation-building efforts in Vietnam and Afghanistan, and our invasion of Iraq based on the false pretense of WMDs, all underscore a lacking sense of purpose.
—TIME, 13 Feb. 2024
Tim Golden, ProPublica, 31 Jan. 2024
One count of false pretenses — more than $20,000 but less than $50,000 — a 15-year felony.
—Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 3 Jan. 2024
There is not even the pretense of democracy there; citizens have no right to dissent or elect their leaders.
—Bernie Sanders, Foreign Affairs, 18 Mar. 2024
The former President, who famously used his office’s authority to unilaterally slap import duties on foreign steel under the pretense of national security, is notoriously tough on China.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2024
Oh yes, the other co-author tried a similar bill two years ago, without even the pretense of democracy, and just failed.
—Stefan Bean, Orange County Register, 12 Feb. 2024
In June, prosecutors charged him with a third felony — obtaining money, labor or property by false pretenses.
—Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2024
Fans willing to overlook the obvious vapidity of director Rob Reiner, a hostile Democrat-progressive zealot, prove that some conservatives are bamboozled by liberalism’s kindly pretense.
—Armond White, National Review, 21 Feb. 2024
Our misguided nation-building efforts in Vietnam and Afghanistan, and our invasion of Iraq based on the false pretense of WMDs, all underscore a lacking sense of purpose.
—TIME, 13 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pretense.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near pretense
Cite this Entry
“Pretense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pretense. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pretense
noun
pre·tense
variants
or pretence
1
: a claim usually not supported by facts
2
: the quality or state of being pretentious
free from pretense
3
: an effort to reach a certain condition or quality
let's have some pretense of order around here
the book makes no pretense at completeness
4
: a pretended purpose
was there under false pretenses
5
: a false show : simulation
a pretense of indifference
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