pretence
Americannoun
noun
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the act of pretending
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a false display; affectation
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a claim, esp a false one, to a right, title, or distinction
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make-believe or feigning
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a false claim or allegation; pretext
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a less common word for pretension
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.
"And yet they still have the pretence of being a developing country in the WTO and in the World Bank, and they could suspend that," Malpass added.
From BBC • May 12, 2026
Mr. Macron has since abandoned any pretence of an economic-growth agenda.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 25, 2026
That can include a lack of authorisation and a failure to explain the risks - all packaged in promotional posts using the pretence of a lavish lifestyle.
From BBC • Jun. 6, 2025
By the encore, he'd given up all pretence of being a high-rolling playboy.
From BBC • Mar. 30, 2025
“All right—I’m sorry, I’m coming now,” and I made a pretence of turning on the tap, of bustling about and folding a towel on a rail.
From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
