false pretenses

plural noun

1. a deliberate misrepresentation of facts, as to obtain title to money or property.

2. the use of such misrepresentation.

Word History and Origins

Origin of false pretenses¹

First recorded in 1750–60

Example Sentences

“I urge my colleagues…to act swiftly to vacate the majorty’s order before the illegal deployment of troops under false pretenses can occur,” she wrote.

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“I urge my colleagues on this court to act swiftly to vacate the majority’s order before the illegal deployment of troops under false pretenses can occur,” Graber wrote.

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On Aug. 20, Carrasco-Ramirez was arrested and booked into the Cois M. Byrd Detention Center in the French Valley on suspicion of grand theft, theft by false pretenses and passing counterfeit checks.

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“The Authority’s apparent repeated use of misleading ridership projections, despite longstanding warnings from experts, raises serious questions about whether funds were allocated under false pretenses,” Comer wrote.

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She could use some time alone, and Glenn could use a forced change of scenery — even if it’s under false pretenses.

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