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   Pre·tense

   /prēˈtens/

   

   noun

   • 1. an attempt to make something that is not the case appear true: "his anger is masked by a pretense that all is well" Similar make-believeactputting on an actactingdissemblingshammingshamfakingfeigningsimulationfalsificationdissimulationinventionimaginationself-deceptionplayactingposturingpostureposingposecantattitudinizingdeceptiondeceitdeceitfulnessfraudhoaxfraudulencefabricationduplicityartificesubterfugetreacherytrickerydishonestyhypocrisyfalsitylyingmendacitylack of veracityfalse coloursinformal:kidologyrare:simulacrumfalse showshowsemblanceaffectationfalse appearanceappearanceoutward appearanceimpressionimagefrontfalse frontguisecolorfacadedisplaypostureposemasquerademaskcloakveilveneersmokescreencamouflagecovertravestyparodycharadearchaic:snivelOpposite realityhonesty
   • ▪ a false display of feelings, attitudes, or intentions: "he asked me questions without any pretense at politeness"
   • ▪ the practice of inventing imaginary situations in play: "before the age of two, children start to engage in pretense"
   • ▪ affected and ostentatious speech and behavior: "they have always avoided preciousness and pretense" Similar pretentiousnessdisplayostentationaffectationshowinessflauntingposturingposinghumbug
   • 2. a claim, especially a false or ambitious one: "he was quick to disclaim any pretense to superiority" Similar claimaspirationpurportingprofession

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French pretense, based on medieval Latin pretensus ‘pretended’, alteration of Latin praetentus, from the verb praetendere (see pretend).

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2. People also ask

   What does pretense mean?

   • Get Word of the Day daily email! The meaning of PRETENSE is a claim made or implied; especially : one not supported by fact. How to use pretense in a sentence.

   Pretense Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pretense

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   What is the root word of pretense?

   • Borrowed from Middle French pretensse, from Late Latin praetēnsus, past participle of Latin praetendō (“to pretend”), from prae- (“before”) + tendō (“to stretch”); see pretend . pretense ( countable and uncountable, plural pretenses) ( American spelling) Intention or purpose not real but professed. An unsupported claim made or implied.

   pretense - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

   en.wiktionary.org/wiki/pretense

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   What does false pretense mean?

   • any allegation or claim: to obtain money under false pretenses. pretension (usually followed by to ): destitute of any pretense to wit. pretentiousness. The media could not be loaded, either because the server or network failed or because the format is not supported.

   PRETENSE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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   What does it mean if you operate under a pretense?

   • When you operate under a pretense, you're not being honest. You're pretending. If you say you're going to a party because you’re eager to see your friend, but really you're just interested in the birthday cake, you’re acting on pretense. Pretense involves deceiving on purpose, and it's usually something you shouldn’t be proud of.

   Pretense - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

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3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › pretensePretense Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › pretense

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   Learn the meaning of pretense, a noun that can refer to a claim, an act, a show, or a purpose that is not real or true. See synonyms, examples, and word history of pretense.

4. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishPRETENSE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   Pretense is a noun that means a way of behaving that is intended to deceive people. Learn how to use it in sentences, see synonyms and antonyms, and find out how to say it in different languages.

5. Videos

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     PRETENSE definition in American English | Collins English Dictionary

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6. dictionary.cambridge.org › english › pretensePRETENSE | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › english › pretense

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   Pretense is a noun that means a way of behaving that is intended to deceive people. Learn how to use it in sentences, see synonyms and antonyms, and find out how to say it in different languages.

7. www.dictionary.com › browse › pretensePRETENSE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › pretense

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   Pretense is the act of pretending or alleging falsely, or a false show of something. Learn the origin, usage, and related words of pretense with Dictionary.com.

8. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › pretensePretense - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › pretense

   the act of giving a false appearance. synonyms: feigning, pretence, pretending, simulation. see more. noun. pretending with intention to deceive. synonyms: dissembling, feigning, pretence. see more. noun. a false or unsupportable quality. synonyms: pretence, pretension. see more. noun. an artful or simulated semblance.

9. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definitionpretense noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition

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   Pretense is the act of behaving in a way to deceive others or to hide something. Learn how to use pretense in a sentence, how to pronounce it and what words are similar to it.

10. www.collinsdictionary.com › english › pretensePRETENSE definition in American English | Collins English ...

    www.collinsdictionary.com › english › pretense

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    5 days ago · Pretense is an action or way of behaving that is intended to make people believe something that is not true. Learn more about the word forms, origin, usage and related terms of pretense from Collins English Dictionary.