pretend
Translation
to pretend, to feign, to make believe
Examples
Let's pretend we are astronauts.
Let's pretend we are astronauts.
He pretended to be sick.
He pretended to be ill.
I can't pretend that I like the movie.
I can't pretend that I like the film.
Grammar Patterns
pretend ((to-inf)) to behave as if something is true when you know that it is not He pretended to be asleep.
pretend ((that ...)) to behave as if something is true when you know that it is not She pretended that she didn't know.
Similar Words
Synonyms: feign, act, simulate; Antonyms: be genuine, be honest
Etymology
From Latin 'praetendere' meaning 'to stretch forth, allege', from 'prae-' (before) + 'tendere' (to stretch).
Memory Tips
Think of 'pre-' (before) and 'tend'. You are putting a story 'before' others that isn't true.