pretend
verb (used with object)
to cause or attempt to cause (what is not so) to seem so.
was pretending
-
past progressiveof pretend.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Prosecutors have said Linton was pretending to seize during the tests, noting the scan itself did not show brain activity consistent with an epileptic episode during the moments when she was physically reacting.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
That wasn’t the plan — no one in the Ramones, their management or their record company was pretending that commercial success wasn’t important to them.
From Salon ● Aug. 10, 2026
She said the people she chatted to often seemed "really nice" but were obviously lonely, making the whole process feel sad, especially as she was not the person she was pretending to be.
From BBC ● Mar. 10, 2026
And his desire for secular immortality didn’t mean he was pretending to have lofty republican sensibilities.
From Slate ● Feb. 16, 2026
She was pretending to sweep the children out, as Mother said, because they kept hanging around the house after they arrived.
From "Miracles on Maple Hill" by Virginia Sorensen
