pretense
12 synonyms and 5 antonyms for pretense, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A false show or claim put on to create a misleading impression; the American spelling of "pretence".
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use pretense
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
under the pretense of
false pretenses
Etymology
From Late Latin praetensus, past participle of Latin praetendere ("to pretend"), from prae- ("before") + tendere ("to stretch").
Full origin of pretense →Frequently asked questions
What does “pretense” mean?
The word “pretense” means a false show or claim put on to create a misleading impression; the American spelling of "pretence". In plain terms, a cover story or false front used to hide the real motive or truth.
How do you pronounce “pretense”?
“Pretense” is pronounced PREE-tehns (/ˈpɹiːtɛns/ in IPA).
How do you use “pretense” in a sentence?
Here is “pretense” used in a sentence: “He got into the building under the pretense of delivering flowers.”
What is another word for “pretense”?
Words with a similar meaning to “pretense” include an awkward situation, false pretense, fiction, imitation, pretext and sham.
What part of speech is “pretense”?
“Pretense” is a noun.
Where does the word “pretense” come from?
The word “pretense” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin praetensus, past participle of Latin praetendere ("to pretend"), from prae- ("before") + tendere ("to stretch").
