pretend

12 synonyms and 1 antonym for pretend, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To act as if something is true or real when it isn't, in order to deceive or as part of play.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

fake affect guess act make

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

simulate sham hazard

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

feign make-believe dissemble profess

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

To act as if something is true or real when it isn't, in order to deceive or as part of play.

“The kids pretended the sofa was a pirate ship.”

feign fake simulate affect make-believe sham guess dissemble profess hazard act make

2. adj

Not genuine; imaginary or made up as part of a game.

“They set up a pretend shop with fake money and toy groceries.”

Opposites

real

How to use pretend

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

pretend to be let's pretend pretend play

Etymology

From Latin praetendere, "to hold out in front, put forward as a cover" — from prae- ("before") + tendere ("to stretch").

Full origin of pretend →

Frequently asked questions

What does “pretend” mean?

The word “pretend” means to act as if something is true or real when it isn't, in order to deceive or as part of play. In plain terms, to act like something is true or real, either playfully or to fool someone.

How do you pronounce “pretend”?

“Pretend” is pronounced pruh-TEHND (/pɹəˈtɛnd/ in IPA).

How do you use “pretend” in a sentence?

Here is “pretend” used in a sentence: “The kids pretended the sofa was a pirate ship.”

What part of speech is “pretend”?

Depending on how it is used, “pretend” can be a verb and an adjective.

Where does the word “pretend” come from?

The word “pretend” comes from Latin. From Latin praetendere, "to hold out in front, put forward as a cover" — from prae- ("before") + tendere ("to stretch").

Is “pretend” a common word?

“Pretend” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

How many meanings does “pretend” have?

“Pretend” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to act as if something is true or real when it isn't, in order to deceive or as part of play.

What is the difference between "pretend" and "imagine"?

To "pretend" is to act as if something is true or real when it isn't, either to deceive or as part of play. To "imagine" is to form a picture in your mind. Pretending usually involves outward behaviour, while imagining happens internally.

How do you use "pretend" as an adjective?

As an adjective, "pretend" means not genuine, imaginary, or made up as part of a game, as in "a pretend kitchen." It is informal and is often used with or about children's play.

What is the difference between "pretend to" and "pretend that"?

"Pretend to" is followed by a verb, as in "pretend to sleep." "Pretend that" is followed by a clause, as in "pretend that you are asleep." Both express acting as if something is true when it isn't.

People also searched

make real act guess affect fake hazard simulate sham feign profess dissemble

Nearby words

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