pretend
verb (used with object)
to cause or attempt to cause (what is not so) to seem so.
pretending
-
present participleof pretend.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
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.
“Stop pretending you need anyone else’s permission,” Sacks said in an X post over the weekend.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026
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
The players are really invested in pretending that that is not the case.
From Slate ● Aug. 31, 2026
“Acting involved pretending to be other people, whose own emotional states —such as she understood them — could preoccupy her for a time,” writes Cusk.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026
I know he knows Tūtū is there, but he’s pretending he doesn’t.
From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila
