pretence
Speech parts
1. pretence - Noun
2. pretence - Adjective
Meaning
Alt. of Pretenceless
The act of laying claim; the claim laid; assumption; pretension.
The act of holding out, or offering, to others something false or feigned; presentation of what is deceptive or hypocritical; deception by showing what is unreal and concealing what is real; false show; simulation; as, pretense of illness; under pretense of patriotism; on pretense of revenging Caesar's death.
That which is pretended; false, deceptive, or hypocritical show, argument, or reason; pretext; feint.
Intention; design.
Source: Webster's dictionarySynonyms
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Phrases with the word
Examples
Jealousy, that dragon which slays love under the pretence of keeping it alive.
Others indeed may talk, and write, and fight about liberty, and make an outward pretence to it; but the free-thinker alone is truly free.
Of course, we need not be surprised if artistic excellence goes unrecognized on account of being unknown; but there should be the greatest indignation when, as often, good judges are flattered by the charm of social entertainments into an approbation which is a mere a pretence.
He would be the finer gentleman that should leave the world without having tasted of lying or pretence of any sort, or of wantonness or conceit.
The pretence that numbers are not the humble creation of man, but are the exacting language of the Universe and therefore possess the secret of all things, is comforting, terrifying and mesmeric.
On a small pretence the wolf devours the sheep.