as in hypocritical
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in posing
to take on a false or deceptive appearance
I pretended that I didn't care that my ex had a new man in her life
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in simulating
to present a false appearance of
as if I would ever pretend illness just to take off a day from work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pretending
Ars Technica, 24 Dec. 2024
June Squibb plays the titular Thelma, who gets taken in by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson Danny (Fred Hechinger) to the tune of $10,000.
—Ars Technica, 23 Dec. 2024
According to a release from the DA, five employees defrauded the State of California and Apple’s Matching Gifts Program by pretending to make donations to the American Chinese International Cultural Exchange (ACICE) or Hop4Kids.
—David Hessekiel, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
And, while there is a big difference between being good at your job and pretending to be good at it, most people are rewarded, compensated, and promoted for the latter rather than the former.
—Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Often, users are contacted on Telegram by someone pretending to be a friend or acquaintance.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 15 Dec. 2024
The truth is, pollsters earned the public’s ire by pretending to deliver essential, objective political information while actually distorting data for their own purposes.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 14 Dec. 2024
The study conducted earlier this year illustrates how AI systems have mastered the art of double-crossing, bluffing, and even pretending to be human during interactions and tests.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 13 Dec. 2024
Bronwyn is straightforward during her conversation with Lisa during before-dinner drinks, and Lisa keeps pretending that assigning Bronwyn to Angie and Whitney’s exile villa means nothing.
—Sarah Hagi, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
While maintaining a quirky and mysterious air, the show yields questions like, is a cult real if its creators are pretending but its followers aren’t?
—Ars Technica, 24 Dec. 2024
June Squibb plays the titular Thelma, who gets taken in by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson Danny (Fred Hechinger) to the tune of $10,000.
—Ars Technica, 23 Dec. 2024
According to a release from the DA, five employees defrauded the State of California and Apple’s Matching Gifts Program by pretending to make donations to the American Chinese International Cultural Exchange (ACICE) or Hop4Kids.
—David Hessekiel, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
And, while there is a big difference between being good at your job and pretending to be good at it, most people are rewarded, compensated, and promoted for the latter rather than the former.
—Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Often, users are contacted on Telegram by someone pretending to be a friend or acquaintance.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 15 Dec. 2024
The truth is, pollsters earned the public’s ire by pretending to deliver essential, objective political information while actually distorting data for their own purposes.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 14 Dec. 2024
The study conducted earlier this year illustrates how AI systems have mastered the art of double-crossing, bluffing, and even pretending to be human during interactions and tests.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 13 Dec. 2024
Bronwyn is straightforward during her conversation with Lisa during before-dinner drinks, and Lisa keeps pretending that assigning Bronwyn to Angie and Whitney’s exile villa means nothing.
—Sarah Hagi, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretending
Adjective
-
Shifting from New York to Texas Lively and Reynolds (whose blockbuster Deadpool & Wolverine has been dragged directly into this with a January 7 evidence preservation letter sent to Disney and Marvel over the hypocritical Nicepool character) opened up a likely new legal front in Hays County, Texas.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
27 Jan. 2025
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Senator Markwayne Mullin, Republican of Oklahoma, accused Democrats of being hypocritical for saying Mr. Hegseth was unqualified to lead the Pentagon because he had been intoxicated and cheated on his wife.—
Helene Cooper,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Wind chills in this region could reach 20 degrees, posing a significant threat to people and property.—
Kevin Lynn,
Newsweek,
8 Jan. 2025
-
Wind chills in this region could reach 20 degrees, posing a significant threat to people and property.—
Kevin Lynn,
Newsweek,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In addition to large-scale data theft, economic disruption, and intelligence breaches, quantum computers could be used for malicious purposes such as simulating and synthesizing chemical weapons or optimizing the flight trajectories of a swarm of drones.—
Charina Chou,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
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Nvidia’s Omniverse allows users to put together world scenes digitally, simulating a physical environment.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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While offenses have learned to use every second, defenses are also taking advantage of the extra time, primarily through duplicitous presentations and audibles in response to offensive calls.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
5 Feb. 2025
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Much like the play it’s adapted from, Were the World Mine is hazy, romantic, duplicitous and delightful.—
Sadie Collins,
Them,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The World Junior tournament is always good for some surprises; a couple of unexpected players emerging as top scorers or playing well in big moments, or a traditional top nation getting upset in the medal round.—
Corey Pronman,
The Athletic,
26 Dec. 2024
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Further factions emerge from there, as people start playing the game within the Squid Game, forming pockets of friendships and alliances, real and fake.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
26 Dec. 2024
Verb
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As such, even assuming that some more tariffs are put on, the potential impact on China's economy overall is likely to be limited.—
Brendan Ahern,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
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In the chaos, the girls' mother evacuated with another daughter, assuming Lama and Sama were with their father.—
Sarah Ferguson,
Forbes,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Honest criticism is rude, and insincere praise is — well, insincere.—
Judith Martin,
The Mercury News,
4 Feb. 2025
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Don’t force trendy slang that feels insincere for your brand.—
Noa Eshed,
Forbes,
2 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Fed regulators presuming the imposition of broad capital requirements are acting in as conceited a fashion as FOMC members setting a rate of interest.—
John Tamny,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
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Those officials could be then tapped for acting positions.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
31 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near pretending
Cite this Entry
“Pretending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretending. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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