pretender
noun
pre·tend·er
pri-ˈten-dər 
: one that pretends: such as
a
: one who lays claim to something
specifically
: a claimant to a throne who is held to have no just title
b
: one who makes a false or hypocritical show
Examples of pretender in a Sentence
it turns out that the guy who claimed to work for a modeling agency was just a pretender
Recent Examples on the Web
The speed with which this group develops chemistry and finds that star could determine where the Crimson Tide fall on the spectrum between contender and pretender.
—
Cj Moore, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Carter noted that City Hall office workers will return to their cubicles three days per week as of April 1.
Related Articles
Contenders or pretenders?
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 26 Mar. 2025
Every decision carries weight, and in a league where the line between contender and pretender is razor-thin, there’s little room for error.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2025
The only saving grace for City is that there is no clear pretender to take its place as the top dog in English soccer.
—Joe Prince-Wright, Nbc Sports, NBC News, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pretender
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Cj Moore, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Carter noted that City Hall office workers will return to their cubicles three days per week as of April 1.
Related Articles
Contenders or pretenders?
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 26 Mar. 2025
Every decision carries weight, and in a league where the line between contender and pretender is razor-thin, there’s little room for error.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2025
The only saving grace for City is that there is no clear pretender to take its place as the top dog in English soccer.
—Joe Prince-Wright, Nbc Sports, NBC News, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pretender
Cite this Entry
“Pretender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pretender. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pretender
noun
pre·tend·er
pri-ˈten-dər
1
: a person who pretends
2
: a person who claims a throne without right
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