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pretend

pre·tend

pretend

 
 
pronunciation:
prih tend
parts of speech:
transitive verb, intransitive verb, adjective
features:
Word Combinations (verb), Grammatical Patterns
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: pretends, pretending, pretended
definition 1: to claim or represent falsely or insincerely in order to deceive.
She pretended to be our ally, but, in fact, she was working against us.[verb + infinitive ] He pretended to be interested in what she was saying.[verb + infinitive ] She pretended to enjoy the party even though she was miserable.[verb + infinitive ]
synonyms:
purport
similar words:
allege, claim, misrepresent, profess
definition 2: to give an appearance of truth or reality to (that which is false or imaginary).
The tyrant pretends concern for the well-being of the citizens.
synonyms:
counterfeit, dissemble, fake, feign, sham, simulate
similar words:
act, affect, assume, dissimulate, fabricate, falsify, imitate, profess
definition 3: esp. in play, to imagine (something) to be so, or to act as if (something) were so.
Let's pretend that we are explorers.[verb + (that) + clause ] The children pretended to be pirates.[verb + infinitive ]
 
synonyms:
act, make believe
similar words:
fancy, imagine, playact, suppose
definition 4: claim; profess.
I cannot pretend to know better than the judge.[verb + infinitive ]
synonyms:
claim, profess
similar words:
allege, purport
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
definition 1: to act the part of a real or imagined character, or act out imaginary events, in play; make believe.
The children love pretending.
synonyms:
make believe, playact
similar words:
act, fool, imagine
definition 2: to venture or put forward a claim, often undeservingly (often fol. by "to").
He pretends to expertise in all aspects of the job, but we haven't seen much proof of it.
similar words:
claim, profess
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: adjective
definition: being something imaginary or make-believe.
The children were playing in the backyard with their pretend swords.