pretense
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
English [edit]
Alternative forms [edit]
- pretence (Only correct spelling in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, and Commonwealth countries, and historical use in the United States)
- prætense (archaic)
Etymology [edit]
From Middle French pretensse, from Late Latin prætensus, past participle of prætendere (“to pretend”), from præ- (“before”) + tendere (“to stretch”); see pretend.
Pronunciation [edit]
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Audio (US) (file)
Noun [edit]
pretense (plural pretenses)
- (US) A false or hypocritical profession, as, under pretense of friendliness.
- Intention or purpose not real but professed.
- without pretense of accuracy
- An unsupported claim made or implied.
- An insincere attempt to reach a specific condition or quality.
Synonyms [edit]
- sham
- imitation
- fiction
- pretext
- affectation denotes deception for the sake of escape from punishment or an awkward situation
- subterfuge
- See also Wikisaurus:pretext
Related terms [edit]
Translations [edit]
false or hypocritical profession
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External links [edit]
- pretense in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
- pretense in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
