pretense definition - Dictionary

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pre·tense [ pr tènss, pri ténss ] (plural pre·tens·es)

noun

Definition:

1. insincere or feigned behavior: something done or a way of behaving that is not genuine, but is intended to deceive somebody

His display of affection was certainly a pretense.

2. unwarranted claim: a claim, especially one with few facts to support it ( often used in the negative )

makes no pretense of expertise

3. make-believe: make-believe or things imagined

4.
Same as pretension¹ (sense 1)

[14th century. < Anglo-Norman< medieval Latin pretens- "alleged" < past participle of Latin praetendere (see pretend)]

Word Usage


	pretense or pretext? A pretext is a misleading or untrue reason given to mask a real reason (came here on the pretext of offering condolences; offered several pretexts for missing the deadline). Pretense means: "insincere behavior" (lived a life of pretense); "an unwarranted, factually defective claim" (made no pretense of being an expert); and "pretension" (resisted conformity and pretense).