1
as in mock
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
he shows a pretended affection for his girlfriend's cat
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fake
not being or expressing what one appears to be or express
hoped that his pretended interest in classical music would impress the boss
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in posed
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
2
as in assumed
to present a false appearance of
as if I would ever pretend illness just to take off a day from work
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pretended
Helen Shaw, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2022
What most activates Dunn’s rage is the misogyny that only deepened amid all the pretended freedoms of the counterculture.
—Sam Sacks, WSJ, 11 Nov. 2022
No, seriously: People were very upset by these shoes, or at least pretended to be.
—Heather Wilhelm, National Review, 31 Aug. 2017
Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
Josef and Rosemarie raised three of Elisabeth's children, who Josef pretended Elisabeth left on their doorstep, while Elisabeth was forced to raise three of her children in a locked underground compound without windows.
—Jessica Sager, People.com, 1 Mar. 2025
Morant then put the imaginary grenade to his mouth, pretended to pull the pin by biting it, and tossed it.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025
For one YouTube video, Piper pretended to break her leg and have a stroke and was carried away in a fake ambulance.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
Rick, who pretended to be a film producer to weasel his way into the home of Jim and Sritala (Lek Patravadi) and confront Jim over potentially murdering his father.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 4 Apr. 2025
In the prank, Nephew Tommy pretended that his organization lost funding due to Crockett’s viral clapbacks.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Davis then shot Harmony in the head and also shot her 10-year-old sister, who suffered a non-fatal bullet wound and pretended to be dead until long after Davis left the residence, according to police.
—Chris Spargo, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025
There have been numerous cases in which criminals have pretended to work for a police department and forged court orders and emergency requests to pilfer personal information that could be used to locate, stalk or harass individuals.
—Thomas Brewster, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
The woman is long gone, so Freer has to imagine her consent — in a history so full of gaps, coercion, and disappearance, a pretended connection is better than none at all.
—Helen Shaw, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2022
What most activates Dunn’s rage is the misogyny that only deepened amid all the pretended freedoms of the counterculture.
—Sam Sacks, WSJ, 11 Nov. 2022
No, seriously: People were very upset by these shoes, or at least pretended to be.
—Heather Wilhelm, National Review, 31 Aug. 2017
Verb
The newly vegan sister-in-law then called the caterer and pretended to be the bride, adding five new vegan options and approving a $1,500 charge.
—Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
Josef and Rosemarie raised three of Elisabeth's children, who Josef pretended Elisabeth left on their doorstep, while Elisabeth was forced to raise three of her children in a locked underground compound without windows.
—Jessica Sager, People.com, 1 Mar. 2025
Morant then put the imaginary grenade to his mouth, pretended to pull the pin by biting it, and tossed it.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025
For one YouTube video, Piper pretended to break her leg and have a stroke and was carried away in a fake ambulance.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
Rick, who pretended to be a film producer to weasel his way into the home of Jim and Sritala (Lek Patravadi) and confront Jim over potentially murdering his father.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 4 Apr. 2025
In the prank, Nephew Tommy pretended that his organization lost funding due to Crockett’s viral clapbacks.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Davis then shot Harmony in the head and also shot her 10-year-old sister, who suffered a non-fatal bullet wound and pretended to be dead until long after Davis left the residence, according to police.
—Chris Spargo, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025
There have been numerous cases in which criminals have pretended to work for a police department and forged court orders and emergency requests to pilfer personal information that could be used to locate, stalk or harass individuals.
—Thomas Brewster, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretended
Adjective
-
The couple misspelled words a few times during their mock challenge against him.—
Joey Nolfi Published,
EW.com,
2 June 2025
-
For instance, Martinez explained, the program provides an experiential understanding of the workings of city government in a day when participants take on roles in a mock city council meeting with the mayor.—
Nicole Gregory,
Oc Register,
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
Verb
-
When Newcastle received an influx of cash from a sovereign wealth fund, fans assumed a legion of superstars would lead them to Champions League glory.—
Brett Koremenos,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Landry said early release, which until now has been typically assumed when judges hand down sentences, is a slap in the face to crime victims.—
Richard A. Webster,
ProPublica,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Coulombe has been out since May 5 with a strained left forearm.—
Aaron Gleeman,
New York Times,
7 June 2025
-
The official synopsis for Father Mother Sister Brother reads: Estranged siblings reunite after years apart, forced to confront unresolved tensions and reevaluate their strained relationships with their emotionally distant parents.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
In 2012, Julie Chrisley, the daughter of a Baptist minister, leaned into the strength of their family and faith after she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double masectomy as part of the treatment.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
29 May 2025
-
Jake Cronenworth was 1-for-3 with a two-run double yesterday and has reached base in seven consecutive games.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2025
Verb
-
Lori also acted as Cameron’s agent for purposes of the ticket that permitted Cameron to enter the game.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
12 Apr. 2025
-
Prosecutors concluded that the landlord acted in self-defense.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The experiments were conducted in a wind tunnel that simulated hovering flight conditions, with researchers focusing on accurately discerning wind directions during tethered flapping.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Dec. 2024
-
Depending on the intensity, duration and sequence of those vibrations, sensations such as being tapped, stroked or squeezed can be simulated.—
Ben Coxworth,
New Atlas,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The couple was convicted in 2022 of conspiring to defraud banks out of more than $30 million in loans by submitting false documents.—
Eric Tucker,
Chicago Tribune,
30 May 2025
-
His career was on a steady rise until a series of accusations and investigations in the mid-2000s — including tax evasion, fraud and making false statements — landed him in prison.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretended. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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