pretended
Americanadjective
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insincerely or falsely professed.
a pretended interest in art.
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feigned, fictitious, or counterfeit.
His pretended wealth was proved to be nonexistent.
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alleged or asserted; reputed.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of pretended
late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; see origin at pretend, -ed 2
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.
But as Hull wrote: “Spirit Airlines wasn’t perfect. But it was safe, and it never pretended to be something it wasn’t.”
From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026
“Not only has he not come up with a plan, he has pretended we don’t need one,” said Patrick Murphy, a professor of public affairs at the University of San Francisco.
From Los Angeles Times • May 3, 2026
The comedy-drama tells the true story of two Scottish rappers, Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd, known as Silibil N' Brains, who pretended to be from California in an attempt to secure a record deal.
From BBC • May 1, 2026
In response to the criticism, Patel has pretended that his detractors are just jealous of his girlfriend.
From Salon • Apr. 24, 2026
But something about the hardness behind her eyes scared me so I let her pretend, and I pretended back.
From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
