pretense
Translation
pretence, sham, pretext
Examples
He made no pretense of being interested.
He made no pretence of being interested.
She dropped her pretense of nonchalance.
She dropped her pretence of nonchalance.
They kept up the pretense that they were happily married.
They kept up the pretence that they were happily married.
Grammar Patterns
((under the pretense of sth.)) using a false reason to do sth. He got into the party under the pretense of being a reporter.
((make a pretense of -ing)) to pretend to do sth. She made a pretense of listening to him.
Similar Words
Synonyms: sham, pretext, facade; Antonyms: honesty, reality
Etymology
From Latin 'praetendere' (to stretch forth, allege), from 'prae-' (before) + 'tendere' (to stretch).
Memory Tips
Think of 'pre-tend'. You are 'tending' to something 'before' it's real, putting up a front.