Focusing on the act of pretending:
* Simulation: This emphasizes the act of creating a fake reality.
* Role-playing: This highlights the taking on of different identities or personas.
* Imagination: This focuses on the mental process of creating and visualizing something that isn't real.
* Fictionalization: This emphasizes the creation of a story or narrative that is not based on reality.
* Make-believe: This is a more informal term for pretending, implying a playful or childlike approach.
Focusing on the result of pretending:
* Illusion: This focuses on the effect of pretending, creating the impression of something that isn't real.
* Deception: This emphasizes the act of misleading someone through pretending.
* Fabrication: This highlights the creation of something unreal, potentially for deceptive purposes.
* Artificiality: This focuses on the lack of authenticity in what is being pretended.
* Subterfuge: This implies a more deliberate and strategic act of pretending, often for covert purposes.
Ultimately, the best abstract work for "pretend" will depend on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.