pretend
verb (used with object)
to cause or attempt to cause (what is not so) to seem so.
had pretended
-
past perfectof pretend.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
Charlotte, who has lived in London her whole life, had pretended she was from Abergavenny, in Monmouthshire, and put on a Welsh accent throughout the series.
From BBC ● Jan. 25, 2025
We explore the corners of our minds we had pretended don’t exist.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 14, 2023
For years, Mr. Rowe had pretended to be ultraloyal to the regime as he moved up the military ranks, racking up dozens of combat flights.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 6, 2023
For the previous few years, he had pretended that the Soviet Union was churning out intercontinental ballistic missiles “like sausages.”
From Slate ● Oct. 12, 2022
She had tried approaching me before we had taken our seats, but I had pretended not to see her and turned away.
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
