Pretext

Pronunciation

Origin

From French prétexte, from Latin praetextum ("an ornament, etc., wrought in front, a pretense"), neuter of praetextus, past participle of praetexere ("to weave before, fringe or border, allege").

Full definition of pretext

Noun

1. A false, contrived or assumed purpose; a pretense.The reporter called the company on the pretext of trying to resolve a consumer complaint.
• 2012, May 27, Nathan Rabin, TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “New Kid On The Block” (season 4, episode 8; originally aired 11/12/1992), When that metaphor proves untenable, he switches to insisting that women are like beer but that’s mainly as a pretext to drink until he passes out in a father-son bonding haze.

Synonyms

Verb

1. To employ a pretext, which involves using a false or contrived purpose for soliciting the gain of something else.The spy obtained his phone records using possibly-illegal pretexting methods.

Synonyms

• blag UK