pretence

American

[pri-tens, pree-tens] / prɪˈtɛns, ˈpri tɛns /

noun

British.

variant of pretense.

pretence British

/ prɪˈtɛns /

noun

the act of pretending
a false display; affectation
a claim, esp a false one, to a right, title, or distinction
make-believe or feigning
a false claim or allegation; pretext
a less common word for pretension

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

Scappaticci was engaged in a pretence to help shore up his reputation: publicly fighting a legal case, while hoping – and expecting – he would lose.

From BBC • Jan. 25, 2026

Mr. Macron has since abandoned any pretence of an economic-growth agenda.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 25, 2026

"I always felt her suffering was made worse by the government's pretence."

From BBC • Nov. 25, 2025

They said that to stay in business they have to go along with the pretence that they are using waste materials.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2025

I loved the playacting and the pretence and the secrecy of it, and I flattered myself with my own importance.

From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023