pretence

American  

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

noun

British.

1. variant of pretense.

---

pretence British  

/ prɪˈtɛns /

noun

1. the act of pretending

2. a false display; affectation

3. a claim, esp a false one, to a right, title, or distinction

4. make-believe or feigning

5. a false claim or allegation; pretext

6. a less common word for pretension

---

Example Sentences

Holly trees gave a pretence of cover, and they lit a small fire and ate a few slips of dried meat.

From Literature

‘But listen to me. You must keep up the pretence a bit longer. We will have to change to a different train at Rotterdam. Be strong and take your lead from me.’

From Literature

Some 55 Ghanaians have been killed while fighting in Ukraine, the country's foreign minister said on Friday, promising a crackdown on illicit recruitment schemes luring citizens to Russia under false pretences.

From Barron's

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

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

From The Wall Street Journal