pretend
verb (used with object)
to cause or attempt to cause (what is not so) to seem so.
were 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.
“In the earliest days we were pretending to be Buddy Holly,” Paul McCartney once said of the Beatles.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 8, 2026
But they were pretending not to get presents for each other.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2024
Her parents and Dr Obeta were pretending they were cousins.
From BBC ● Mar. 23, 2023
There were some people who were pretending to be students and teachers, he said, but they were stopped by students and security forces.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 24, 2022
Nearby, Pipkin and Dandelion were pretending to feed on a patch of scrub.
From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams
