pretend
verb (used with object)
to cause or attempt to cause (what is not so) to seem so.
have pretended
-
present perfectof pretend.present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
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.
“They have pretended as though the court didn’t say what it said,” Crayton said.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 20, 2023
Some reports spoke of men dressed in black who carried high-powered weapons who may have pretended to be part of a US drug enforcement operation, although no official details have been given.
From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2021
There the two men registered with oddly similar names, suggesting they might have pretended to be related to avoid problems with the manager.
From Slate ● Jun. 4, 2019
Americans may have pretended they didn’t know gay men existed.
From New York Times ● Mar. 26, 2015
He could have pretended to be a wandering storyteller.
From "Tiger, Tiger" by Lynne Reid Banks
