Pretense

Pronunciation

Alternative forms

• pretence (Only correct spelling in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, and Commonwealth countries, and historical use in the United States)
• prætense archaic

Origin

From Middle French pretensse, from Late Latin prætensus, past participle of prætendere ("to pretend"), from præ- ("before") + tendere ("to stretch"); see pretend.

Full definition of pretense

Noun

1. (US) A false or hypocritical profession, as, under pretense of friendliness.
2. Intention or purpose not real but professed.without pretense of accuracy
3. An unsupported claim made or implied.
4. An insincere attempt to reach a specific condition or quality.

Synonyms

• sham
• imitation
• fiction
• pretext
• affectation denotes deception for the sake of escape from punishment or an awkward situation
• subterfuge

Related terms

• pretend
• pretender
• pretension
• pretentious
• pretentiousness

Anagrams

• Petersen
• preteens, pre-teens
• terpenes