variants
or pretence
1
as in affectation
the quality or state of appearing or trying to appear more important or more valuable than is the case
she seemed to be a very down-to-earth woman who was completely free of pretense
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in facade
a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive
her display of bravado was just a pretense
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3
as in right
an entitlement to something
this book on gardening makes no pretense at completeness
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4
as in arrogance
an exaggerated sense of one's importance that shows itself in the making of excessive or unjustified claims
the pretense of that woman in thinking that the other hotel guests should be inconvenienced just for her
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pretense
The overall feel is social without pretense or stuffiness, unmistakably shaped by island life.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Jan. 2026
Trump’s time in office has obliterated the pretense that there’s any meaningful separation between the state and corporate interests.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
Kingstringer and Ledesma were booked into the Contra Costa County Jail on suspicion of grand theft of an animal, theft by false pretenses and conspiracy.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025
There’s no pretense here, just aguachile (my favorite), BYOB and a no frills patio.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretense
Noun
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Now, though levees may not exactly be back, royal affectations and the disputes that go with them are.—
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That’s probably an affectation.—
Noun
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So, try the spread at Trinquet, a cozy restaurant in the Old Town, the historic center where some facades date back to the medieval period.—
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City staff is recommending that signage should be limited to one per façade for a total of four wall signs, city officials wrote in a planning report.—
Noun
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The Honda moves forward, turning to the right.—
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Costco would add one right-in/right-out turn on Idaho 55, another on Hill Road, and a new roundabout on Hill Road, the traffic analysis said.—
Noun
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Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach take turns transforming into floating marketplaces — docks converted to catwalks, hulls polished to reflective arrogance, sales reps who can quote fuel burn like yacht owners care about costs.—
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College football is awash in problems, including the Big Ten’s unrivaled arrogance, and its never-ending list of demands that would make Notre Dame blush.—
Noun
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His pretensions—riding around in a grand coach and continuing the weekly levees—as well as his administration’s notorious effort to enforce deference in the 1798 Sedition Act, fell flat.—
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But the soul of the city lies in the West Kowloon Cultural District, where the M+ museum offers art without velvet-rope pretension.—
Noun
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The Skechers shoes boast a low-profile silhouette, plus a slip-on design despite their lace-up guise.—
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Approved by The Boss himself, the live-music and storytelling show finds Azaria slipping into his best Springsteen guise for a night of gruff tales and greatest hits.—
Noun
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Federal officials said Good attempted to drive her vehicle toward agents during the encounter, a claim disputed by family members and some local leaders.—
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Witnesses and local leaders have contradicted that claim, saying Good was trying to leave and steering away from the agent.—
Noun
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Conversely, Taiwan’s adoption of drone technologies and counter-measures reflects a broader global trend in modern warfare where autonomy, numbers, and networked systems can offset traditional military superiority.—
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Despite Barca’s recent dominance and established superiority in terms of history, fanbase and budget, the rivalry between the clubs is fierce.—
Cite this Entry
“Pretense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretense. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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