1
as in to pose
to take on a false or deceptive appearance
I pretended that I didn't care that my ex had a new man in her life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to assume
to present a false appearance of
as if I would ever pretend illness just to take off a day from work
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in faux
being such in appearance only and made with or manufactured from usually cheaper materials
if you were to see the movie's pretend jewels in real life, you wouldn't be fooled for a minute
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in imaginary
not real and existing only in the imagination
it's just a pretend gun, so please pretend that I got you and play dead
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pretend
Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 30 May 2025
Cena, who once filmed Trainwreck pretending to be a closeted bodybuilder desperate for zaftig comedian Amy Schumer’s affection, understands that the joke’s on him better than anyone.
—Oliver Bateman, The Washington Examiner, 30 May 2025
Jordana Comiter, People.com, 7 May 2025
Before kick-off, the ‘Fondo Norte’ area behind the goal on the north side of the stadium was empty, except for two fans playing a pretend game of tennis.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretend
Verb
Following Venezuela’s sham legislative elections May 25, which were boycotted by the main opposition coalition and marked by an embarrassingly low voter turnout, dictator Nicolás Maduro is likely done pretending to hold free elections.
—Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 30 May 2025
Cena, who once filmed Trainwreck pretending to be a closeted bodybuilder desperate for zaftig comedian Amy Schumer’s affection, understands that the joke’s on him better than anyone.
—Oliver Bateman, The Washington Examiner, 30 May 2025
Adjective
In the book, Hannah tries to get the attention of her longtime crush Justin — a college rock band singer — by tutoring the captain of the hockey team in exchange for a pretend date.
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 7 May 2025
Before kick-off, the ‘Fondo Norte’ area behind the goal on the north side of the stadium was empty, except for two fans playing a pretend game of tennis.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretend
Verb
-
Washington and Seoul have expressed concern that, in return, Kim may seek Russian technology transfers that could enhance the threat posed by his nuclear-armed military.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 June 2025
-
Securing Airspace for the World Cup and Olympics Overall, the EOs are more focused on high-level threats posed by drones.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
7 June 2025
Verb
-
The industry assumes engine testing has to happen in remote areas.—
Curt Steinhorst,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
-
In a revealing interview on Insight With Chris Van Vliet, Omos detailed his journey from assuming his rapid growth was normal to facing a critical health crisis.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
Adjective
-
These slippers are available in men’s and women’s sizes, and are designed with a suede upper and a plush faux fur lining that yields a buttery-soft feel.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
3 June 2025
-
The designer of the faux fur coat Lopez wore in the photos reportedly reposted the image.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
But what were his motivations for the sculptural cut that reduced the body by a third, literally disabling all of the fetish’s functions except for those of its primary feature, the design, thereby intensifying it, endowing it even with an imaginary, almost futuristic acceleration?—
Benjamin H. D. Buchloh,
Artforum,
1 June 2025
-
Dairy farmers should not be the villains in an imaginary climate change narrative - they should be respected as part of the backbone of our state's rural economy and heritage.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
Verb
-
Baty plays second base on days when Vientos starts at the hot corner, and Vientos gets DH days to get Baty at third.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
28 May 2025
-
Both Earps and Hampton have played a very similar number of minutes and faced a very similar number of shots, but Earps’ shot-stopping has not been as strong, conceding 1.6 goals more than expected, based on the quality of shots faced.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
Verb
-
The 100,000-ton warship left Yokosuka naval base earlier this week, while its naval aviators were conducting field carrier landing practice on a Japanese island in the Pacific Ocean, simulating landings on the George Washington's flight deck to obtain landing qualifications.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
-
With measurements from the eye, researchers were able to create both anatomical and perceptual models to simulate humpback whale perception.—
Stephanie Edwards,
Discover Magazine,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
There’s a backdrop of fake news and collective anxiety.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
5 June 2025
-
Federal agents concluded that many of the documents, which were turned over by an attorney representing the restaurant, were fake or falsified, according to the warrant.—
Roxana Popescu,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
That’s the assessment in Ari Aster’s Eddington, which views that collective national trauma through the microcosm of a fictitious New Mexico small town.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2025
-
The trials and tribulations of the fictitious protagonist, however, have precedents.—
Angelica Frey,
JSTOR Daily,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretend. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share