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1. Dictionary

   pretence

   /prɪˈtɛns/

   noun

   • 1. an attempt to make something that is not the case appear true: "his anger is masked by a pretence that all is well" Similar make-believeactputting on an actactingdissemblingshammingshamfakingfeigningsimulationfalsificationdissimulationinventionimaginationself-deceptionplay-actingposturingpostureposingposecantattitudinizingdeceptiondeceitdeceitfulnessfraudhoaxfraudulencefabricationduplicityartificesubterfugetreacherytrickerydishonestyhypocrisyfalsitylyingmendacitylack of veracityfalse coloursinformal:kidologyrare:simulacrumfalse showshowsemblanceaffectationfalse appearanceappearanceoutward appearanceimpressionimagefrontfalse frontguisecolourfacadedisplaypostureposemasquerademaskcloakveilveneersmokescreencamouflagecovertravestyparodycharadearchaic:snivelOpposite realityhonesty
   • ▪ a false display of feelings, attitudes, or intentions: "he asked me questions without any pretence at politeness"
   • ▪ the practice of inventing imaginary situations in play: "before the age of two, children start to engage in pretence"
   • ▪ affected and ostentatious speech and behaviour: "they have always avoided preciousness and pretence" Similar pretentiousnessdisplayostentationaffectationshowinessflauntingposturingposinghumbug
   • 2. a claim to have a particular skill or quality: "he was quick to disclaim any pretence to superiority" Similar claimaspirationpurportingprofession

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French pretense, based on medieval Latin pretensus ‘pretended’, alteration of Latin praetentus, from the verb praetendere (see pretend).

   Scrabble Points: 12

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2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishPRETENCE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   PRETENCE definition: 1. a way of behaving that is intended to deceive people: 2. UK spelling of pretense. Learn more.

3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › pretensePretense Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › pretense

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   The meaning of PRETENSE is a claim made or implied; especially : one not supported by fact. How to use pretense in a sentence.

4. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishPRETENSE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   PRETENSE definition: 1. US spelling of pretence 2. a way of behaving that is intended to deceive people: 3. a way of…. Learn more.

5. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishpretence noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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   Definition of pretence noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

6. www.dictionary.com › browse › pretencePRETENCE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › pretence

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   noun. the act of pretending. a false display; affectation. a claim, esp a false one, to a right, title, or distinction. make-believe or feigning. a false claim or allegation; pretext. a less common word for pretension. Discover More. Example Sentences.

7. www.dictionary.com › browse › pretensePRETENSE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › pretense

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   Pretense definition: pretending or feigning; make-believe. See examples of PRETENSE used in a sentence.

8. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryPRETENSE | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   a way of behaving that is intended to deceive people: She made absolutely no pretense of being interested. They kept up (= continued) a pretense of normality as long as they could. The army has given up any pretense of neutrality in the war. Faking & pretending. affect. air guitar. assume. believe. bluff someone into something/doing something.

9. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishpretense noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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   pretense. noun. /prɪˈtens/ /ˈpriːtens/ (North American English) ( British English pretence) [uncountable, singular] the act of behaving in a particular way, in order to make other people believe something that is not true. Their friendliness was only pretense.

10. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › pretencePretence - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

    www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › pretence

    the act of giving a false appearance. synonyms: feigning, pretending, pretense, simulation. see more. noun. pretending with intention to deceive. synonyms: dissembling, feigning, pretense. see more. noun. a false or unsupportable quality.

11. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishPRETENCE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

    www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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    A pretence is an action or way of behaving that is intended to make people believe something that is not true.