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 statementsI don't pretend to any expertise in these matters.
Examples of pretend to (something) in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Too many leaders pretend to listen, nodding along in meetings but failing to take action.
—
Mark Murphy, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Amazon impersonators are also popular; in these calls, fraudsters pretend to be from Amazon customer service and claim there's an issue with an order or tell you there's been a security breach.
—Jibin Joseph, PCMAG, 25 Feb. 2025
As Ferrell resumed singing with Johansson, Kardashian and Gasteyer, Wiig proceeded to lick Dooneese’s tiny hands and stroke Johansson’s face, tap on one of Gasteyer’s breasts and pretend to play the drums on Kardashian’s butt.
—Michaela Zee, Variety, 17 Feb. 2025
This is also a great series to binge-watch since there are two sequels.
Can’t Buy Me Love
Can't Buy Me Love follows a nerdy high schooler who offers the most popular girl in school $1,000 to pretend to date him for a month.
—Jené Luciani Sena, Fox News, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretend to (something)
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Mark Murphy, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Amazon impersonators are also popular; in these calls, fraudsters pretend to be from Amazon customer service and claim there's an issue with an order or tell you there's been a security breach.
—Jibin Joseph, PCMAG, 25 Feb. 2025
As Ferrell resumed singing with Johansson, Kardashian and Gasteyer, Wiig proceeded to lick Dooneese’s tiny hands and stroke Johansson’s face, tap on one of Gasteyer’s breasts and pretend to play the drums on Kardashian’s butt.
—Michaela Zee, Variety, 17 Feb. 2025
This is also a great series to binge-watch since there are two sequels.
Can’t Buy Me Love
Can't Buy Me Love follows a nerdy high schooler who offers the most popular girl in school $1,000 to pretend to date him for a month.
—Jené Luciani Sena, Fox News, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretend to (something)
Cite this Entry
“Pretend to (something).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pretend%20to%20%28something%29. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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