make-believe

[ meyk-bi-leev ]

/ ˈmeɪk bɪˌliv /

pretense, especially of an innocent or playful kind; feigning; sham: the make-believe of children playing.

a pretender; a person who pretends.

pretended; feigned; imaginary; made-up; unreal: a make-believe world of fantasy.

Nearby words

First recorded in 1805–15

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Donetsk, formerly a make-believe republic, is turning into a little neo-Soviet state.
East Ukraine: Back in the USSR|Jamie Dettmer|November 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We were at the CIA recently, and I broached this question because it was front and center in our make-believe intelligence agency.
‘Homeland’ Showrunner: ‘We Knew We Had to Plot a New Course’|Andrew Romano|September 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Was this a conspiracy as charged in the indictment, or just some make-believe as the defense contends?
Cannibal Cop’s Dark Fetishes Detailed in Grisly Trial Testimony|Michael Daly|February 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
As head of a state—even such a make-believe state as the Vatican—Joseph Ratzinger has absolute immunity from legal action.
Pope Benedict XVI’s Tenure Marred by Human-Rights Failures|Geoffrey Robertson|February 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST

They play a game called “neighborhood,” in which each boy sets up a make-believe house and Edrees stops by to talk.
Bashar Al-Assad’s War on Syria’s Children|Mike Giglio|August 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST
You know what the rule is in Make-Believe Toyland—none of the things dare move when human eyes look at them.
The Story of a Candy Rabbit|Laura Lee Hope
That will teach him that 'tis no make-believe shooter out here!
The Boy Scouts in A Trapper's Camp|Thornton W. Burgess
They can but make-believe, even if they try—and they don't try.
The Girl of the Period and Other Social Essays, Vol. II (of 2)|Eliza Lynn Linton
"For hating that make-believe sweetheart of yours," he answered.
Spring Street|James H. Richardson
Make-believe is much made use of in this world, but it won't hold out to the last.
Miles Wallingford|James Fenimore Cooper

"pretence," 1811, from make (v.) + believe. As an adjective by 1824.