1
as in poses
to take on a false or deceptive appearance
I pretended that I didn't care that my ex had a new man in her life
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in assumes
to present a false appearance of
as if I would ever pretend illness just to take off a day from work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pretends
But nobody pretends that number is reliable.
—
Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 31 Oct. 2025
Each night on her ongoing Short n’ Sweet tour Carpenter pretends to arrest a member of the crowd.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
In the finale, Brandis pretends not to see the million-dollar stash in Maeve's possession and zips the bag back up, looking up as birds sing.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025
After encountering an old friend, Colette, embarrassed about her friend’s success compared to her own, pretends to be a customer at the DMV instead of an employee.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
In a particularly poignant moment in the film, Jiang stands by the window at night and pretends to capture and punch the shadow of a security guard downstairs.
—Yangyang Cheng, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025
The label is applied when a teen pretends or forces himself to present in this way just to win the romantic attention of the young women around him.
—Ashleigh N. Deluca, Parents, 24 Sep. 2025
One big topic in the news these days is that AI often pretends to be your best friend and will praise you to the high heavens.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Seeing Laura come down the deck, Cherry pretends to be drowning.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretends
Verb
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In a joint Instagram post, Charli poses with Jenner on set, wearing white bath robes over tiny black bikinis.—
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Due to the high risk the disease poses to dogs, there is an animal vaccine for leptospirosis that can be administered by veterinary professionals, Pattee noted.—
Verb
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Yet his rhetoric assumes that Jewish identity is synonymous with privilege, that Jewish concerns are secondary — or suspect.—
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The literary record assumes the same.—
Verb
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As Cuenca plays a ball to the feet of his striker, Wilson dashes in the other direction, delaying Ibrahima Konate’s forward jump because the centre-back knows Bradley is unable to track both him and Robinson at the same time.—
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In the dark romantic comedy-drama, True Blood alum Skarsgård, 49, plays tough biker Ray, who enters into a dominant-submissive relationship with Colin (Melling), a shy and directionless man who sings in a barbershop quartet.—
Verb
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Today's test simulates a frontal collision where the cars are slightly offset from each other.—
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Another installation simulates the interior of Aquarius Reef Base, complete with bunks, galley tables and stories from Scripps Oceanography researchers like Dale Stokes and Jim Leichter, who’ve completed multiple missions there.—
Verb
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Additionally, hometown hero and skier Gus Kenworthy acts as host for the entire week, which features events like the blow-out White Party, a drag and burlesque show with both national and local talent, and the Glitter Ball where anything that sparkles is in fashion.—
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Every month of uncertainty acts as a silent tax on competitiveness, eroding the confidence that keeps investment flowing through places like San Diego, Monterrey and Toronto.—
Verb
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Like many managers, Amorim professes not to read, listen or consume opinions on his side’s performances, but his reference to Neville implied others within the club do, and are too sensitive to such criticism.—
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Colossal Biosciences professes to have species conservation as its primary mission, but de-extinction technologies could be used for other purposes.—
Verb
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Someone who’s really living the Andrew Tate-like lifestyle Jacob only feigns is his bestie Cameron (Dylan Playfair).—
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The second man with a flail steps forward and feigns a move.—
Cite this Entry
“Pretends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretends. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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