Pretense
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ˈpɹiːtɛns/ · Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Pretense is a noun meaning (uncountable) Affectation or ostentation of manner.
Meaning
(uncountable) Affectation or ostentation of manner.
More Meanings
- Intention or purpose not real but professed.
- An unsupported claim made or implied.
- An insincere attempt to reach a specific condition or quality.
- (countable or uncountable) The action of pretending; false or simulated show or appearance; false or hypocritical assertion or representation.
- (obsolete) Intention; design.
Example Sentences
He visited the king under the pretense of friendliness.
"Lady Little", the title that she used, was just a pretense.
She appeared to weep uncontrollably, but it was all pretense.
In pilot work we have used the method described in Experiment 2 on children′s memory for the content of their own false beliefs and pretence and asked them to differentiate between belief and pretence.
Word Forms
- pretenses
- pretence
Synonyms for pretense
Depending on context, synonyms include fiction, imitation, pretext, sham, subterfuge, pretence.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include feigning, pretence, make-believe, pretending, dissembling, pretension.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.