pretend to (something)

idiom

formal

: to claim that one has (something, such as a quality or ability)

She pretends to a deep religious devotion, but I don't believe her.

—usually used in negative statements

I don't pretend to any expertise in these matters.

Examples of pretend to (something) in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

As if any of us could be so arrogant as to pretend to play defense with the Reaper. —

Corey Buhay, Outside Online, 1 Feb. 2025 Less awesome was having to pretend to be unconscious in a hospital bed for the entire premiere; MacPherson even admits to grabbing a nap during a scene… or two. —

Andy Swift, TVLine, 30 Jan. 2025 Kids can build their garden world, care for the bees, and even pretend to harvest honey. —

Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 14 Jan. 2025 This is where the real divide occurs: the space in which real-life people are distilled to winners and losers in a political game others pretend to have no stakes in for the sake of self-preservation. —

Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for pretend to (something)

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“Pretend to (something).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pretend%20to%20%28something%29. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.

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