pretense
[ pri-tens, pree-tens ]
noun
pretending or feigning; make-believe: My sleepiness was all pretense.
a false show of something: a pretense of friendship.
a piece of make-believe.
the act of pretending or alleging falsely.
a false allegation or justification: He excused himself from the lunch on a pretense of urgent business.
insincere or false profession: His pious words were mere pretense.
the putting forth of an unwarranted claim.
the claim itself.
any allegation or claim: to obtain money under false pretenses.
pretension (usually followed by to): destitute of any pretense to wit.
Origin of pretense
1First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Anglo-French, from unattested Medieval Latin praetēnsa, noun use of feminine of praetēnsus, past participle (replacing Latin praetentus ) of praetendere “to put forward, stretch forth, pretend”; see origin at pretend
- Also British, pre·tence .
Other words for pretense
1 | shamming |
2 | semblance |
3 | mask, veil |
Other words from pretense
- pre·tense·ful, adjective
- pre·tense·less, adjective
Words that may be confused with pretense
- pretense , pretext
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
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