pretender

noun

pre·​tend·​er pri-ˈten-dər 

: one that pretends: such as

a

: one who lays claim to something

specifically : a claimant to a throne who is held to have no just title

b

: one who makes a false or hypocritical show

Synonyms

• charlatan
• fake
• faker
• fakir
• fraud
• hoaxer
• humbug
• impostor
• imposter
• mountebank
• phony
• phoney
• quack
• quacksalver
• ringer
• sham

Examples of pretender in a Sentence

it turns out that the guy who claimed to work for a modeling agency was just a pretender

Recent Examples on the Web

Other pretender brands like Stellantis’s DS, and Hyundai’s Genesis look to be fighting a losing battle. —Neil Winton, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024

Those few Knights of the Round Table who remain are third-tier heroes, clinging to a past that is already washing out to sea, while various pretenders to the throne vye for power. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024

After two consecutive first-round playoff exits, many analysts have shifted their perception of the Bucks from championship contenders to pretenders. —Brian Sampson, Forbes, 21 Sep. 2024

Granted, August contenders can morph into November pretenders. —Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

pretend entry 1 + -er entry 2

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

pretender

noun

pre·​tend·​er pri-ˈten-dər 

1

: a person who pretends

2

: a person who claims a throne without right