Synonyms of pretense

pretense

noun

ˈprē-ˌten(t)s 

variants or pretence

1

as in affectation

the quality or state of appearing or trying to appear more important or more valuable than is the case

she seemed to be a very down-to-earth woman who was completely free of pretense

Synonyms & Similar Words

• affectation
• pretension
• inflation
• vanity
• arrogance
• grandiosity
• disdain
• pretentiousness
• rudeness
• confidence
• affectedness
• superiority
• vainness
• smugness
• assertiveness
• complacency
• snobbery
• self-aggrandizement
• haughtiness
• aggressiveness
• imperiousness
• vainglory
• presumption
• self-satisfaction
• snobbishness
• hauteur
• egotism
• sureness
• conceit
• boldness
• self-assertion
• superciliousness
• pride
• pompousness
• self-conceit
• self-importance
• presumptuousness
• bumptiousness
• self-assurance
• boastfulness
• self-confidence
• self-glorification
• vaingloriousness
• lordliness
• braggadocio
• ostentation
• audaciousness
• cockiness
• forwardness
• impudence
• show
• glitz
• cheekiness
• mummery
• flamboyance
• insolence
• gaudiness
• self-assumption
• showiness
• grandiloquence
• flashiness
• ostentatiousness
• garishness
• self-consequence
• brassiness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• humility
• modesty
• meekness
• humbleness
• demureness
• timidity
• lowliness
• sincerity
• diffidence
• shyness
• bashfulness
• down-to-earthness
• naturalness

2

as in airs

a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive

her display of bravado was just a pretense

Synonyms & Similar Words

• airs
• act
• show
• pose
• front
• performance
• charade
• affectation
• portrayal
• façade
• semblance
• masquerade
• guise
• facade
• disguise
• appearance
• put-on
• playacting
• color
• deception
• persona
• duplicity
• image
• impersonation
• pretext
• excuse
• cloak
• camouflage
• deceit
• gloss
• fraud
• dissimulation
• betrayal
• treason
• treachery
• guile
• fakery
• infidelity
• falseness
• perfidy
• dissembling
• falsity
• faithlessness
• double-dealing
• unfaithfulness
• double cross

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sincerity
• frankness
• candor
• directness
• bluntness
• straightforwardness
• forthrightness
• outspokenness
• naïveté
• naiveté
• candidness
• genuineness
• naivete
• artlessness
• openheartedness
• plainspokenness

3

as in claim

an entitlement to something

this book on gardening makes no pretense at completeness

Synonyms & Similar Words

• claim
• pretension
• right
• call
• dibs
• prerogative
• privilege
• title
• refusal
• birthright
• favor

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• waiver
• release
• disclaimer
• quitclaim

4

as in arrogance

an exaggerated sense of one's importance that shows itself in the making of excessive or unjustified claims

the pretense of that woman in thinking that the other hotel guests should be inconvenienced just for her

Synonyms & Similar Words

• arrogance
• superiority
• assumption
• consequence
• attitude
• pretension
• haughtiness
• pomposity
• superciliousness
• imperiousness
• loftiness
• hauteur
• vanity
• pretentiousness
• peremptoriness
• self-importance
• pompousness
• bumptiousness
• presumptuousness
• lordliness
• high horse
• masterfulness
• huffiness
• toploftiness
• pridefulness
• disdain
• pride
• side
• self-consequence
• condescension
• snobbery
• dominance
• scorn
• bravado
• high-handedness
• inflation
• snobbishness
• bossiness
• snobbism
• snootiness
• self-assertion
• chest-thumping
• authoritativeness
• boastfulness
• brag
• smugness
• triumphalism
• swagger
• cheekiness
• vainglory
• bowwow
• sauciness
• bombast
• egoism
• impudence
• self-satisfaction
• braggadocio
• egotism
• self-complacency
• cockiness
• self-opinion
• self-centeredness
• conceit
• self-conceit
• cheek
• complacence
• self-content
• impertinence
• strut
• vaingloriousness
• swelled head
• self-contentment
• superiority complex
• self-assumption
• self-partiality

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• humility
• modesty
• unpretentiousness
• shyness
• bashfulness
• timidity
• diffidence
• demureness
• passivity
• meekness
• self-doubt
• submissiveness
• unassumingness
• passiveness
• reserve
• lowliness
• quietness
• timidness
• retiringness
• self-distrust
• reservedness
• mousiness

Examples of pretense in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The agent said Schultz realized at some point that the co-conspirator's pretense of working for a consulting firm was a lie and that the person worked for the Chinese government. —Evan Mealins, USA TODAY, 15 Aug. 2024

When the pretense of scientific precision fades, so does the need to project over-confidently. —Philipp Carlsson-Szlezak and Paul Swartz, TIME, 31 July 2024

Travis Aaron Wade In Spacey Unmasked, Wade, an aspiring actor, alleged that Spacey manipulated him into being in a hotel room alone with him on the pretense of hosting a Golden Globes after-party. —Aja Romano, Vox, 5 June 2024

The couple invited guests — about 25 to 30 close friends and family members — to the wedding under the pretense of an engagement party, said Scott’s Chief of Staff Marvin James. —Emily Opilo, Baltimore Sun, 12 Aug. 2024

Phrases Containing pretense

• make a pretense