Antonyms for pretense


Grammar : Noun
Spell : pri-tens, pree-tens
Phonetic Transcription : prɪˈtɛns, ˈpri tɛns


Definition of pretense

Origin :
  • also pretence, early 15c., "the putting forth of a claim," from Anglo-French pretensse, Middle French pretensse (Modern French prétense), from Medieval Latin noun use of fem. of Late Latin praetensus, altered from Latin praetentus, past participle of praetendere (see pretend). Meaning "false or hypocritical profession" is from 1540s.
  • noun falsehood, affected show; cover
Example sentences :
  • She had been convicted of blackmail, and she made no pretense even of innocence.
  • Extract from : « Within the Law » by Marvin Dana
  • Ben pretended to be vexed with Dick and Tom, but it was only pretense.
  • Extract from : « The Dare Boys of 1776 » by Stephen Angus Cox
  • “Tell us some more about Big Brother Bill,” she said, with the pretense of a sigh.
  • Extract from : « The Law-Breakers » by Ridgwell Cullum
  • Hastily he threw on the packs, making no pretense at neat packing.
  • Extract from : « Louisiana Lou » by William West Winter
  • That cannot be simulated; the pretense of it is in general, in the long run, futile.
  • Extract from : « Latin America and the United States » by Elihu Root
  • But I realized, only too well, that the indifference which had once been real was now only pretense.
  • Extract from : « The Rise of Roscoe Paine » by Joseph C. Lincoln
  • She had an uncanny faculty of seeing through his every pretense.
  • Extract from : « The Portygee » by Joseph Crosby Lincoln
  • "Come in, sir," said he, with a pretense of great deference.
  • Extract from : « Capt'n Davy's Honeymoon » by Hall Caine
  • Even if he does not, he no doubt makes the pretense, and she believes him.
  • Extract from : « The Fifth String   » by John Philip Sousa
  • Within a year or so he would not even have the pretense at a business.
  • Extract from : « The Gorgeous Girl » by Nalbro Bartley

Synonyms for pretense

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019