pretend
verb (used with object)
to cause or attempt to cause (what is not so) to seem so.
is pretending
-
present progressiveof pretend (3rd person singular).present progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or state that is currently taking place in the immediate 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.
He also singled out Anthropic’s Amodei, who he claimed is pretending to be a “perfect little angel,” and ruled out additional AI regulations.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 14, 2026
Everyone in line is pretending they don’t exist.
From Slate ● Oct. 22, 2025
And because everyone is pretending to be something he or she is not.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2025
A common trick is pretending to relocate overseas -- Dubai is a popular choice -- to avoid high tax rates at home, and then in reality spending most of the time in Germany.
From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2025
“Ambrose is pretending to be a pastor to avoid the army.”
From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
