What does the word pretense mean?

"Pretense" means a false appearance or action intended to deceive or impress. It suggests something is being presented as real or genuine when it is not.

Here are some ways to understand "pretense":

* A show of something that isn't true: "He maintained a pretense of interest, even though he was bored."

* A deceptive claim: "She lived a life of pretense, pretending to be wealthy when she was actually struggling."

* An act or behavior intended to mislead: "They met under the pretense of discussing business, but their real goal was to negotiate a secret deal."

Think of it like putting on a mask or a costume to appear different than you really are.

Here are some synonyms for "pretense":

* Deception

* Disguise

* Façade

* Sham

* Show

* Hypocrisy

Let me know if you would like to see some examples of how "pretense" is used in sentences!