pretense

Noun

Synonyms: pretence pretending simulation feigning dissembling make-believe pretension guise pretext

WordNet 3.0

Noun (5)

the act of giving a false appearance“his conformity was only pretending”Synonyms: pretence pretending simulation feigning
pretending with intention to deceiveSynonyms: pretence feigning dissembling
imaginative intellectual playSynonyms: pretence make-believe
a false or unsupportable qualitySynonyms: pretension pretence
an artful or simulated semblance“under the guise of friendship he betrayed them”Synonyms: guise pretence pretext

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Pretense \Pre*tense"\, Pretence \Pre*tence\, n. [LL. praetensus, for L. praetentus, p. p. of praetendere. See Pretend, and cf. Tension.]

1.The act of laying claim; the claim laid; assumption; pretension. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]

Primogeniture can not have any pretense to a right of solely inheriting property or power.— Locke.[1913 Webster]

I went to Lambeth with Sir R. Brown's pretense to the wardenship of Merton College, Oxford.— Evelyn.[1913 Webster]

2.The act of holding out, or offering, to others something false or feigned; presentation of what is deceptive or hypocritical; deception by showing what is unreal and concealing what is real; false show; simulation; as, pretense of illness; under pretense of patriotism; on pretense of revenging C[ae]sar's death. [1913 Webster]

3.That which is pretended; false, deceptive, or hypocritical show, argument, or reason; pretext; feint. [1913 Webster]

Let not the Trojans, with a feigned pretense Of proffered peace, delude the Latian prince.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

4.Intention; design. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

A very pretense and purpose of unkindness.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

Note: See the Note under Offense. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Mask; appearance; color; show; pretext; excuse.

Usage: Pretense, Pretext. A pretense is something held out as real when it is not so, thus falsifying the truth. A pretext is something woven up in order to cover or conceal one's true motives, feelings, or reasons. Pretext is often, but not always, used in a bad sense. [1913 Webster]