Synonyms for

Pretended

Verb / pri:ˈtendɪd / Another word for pretended — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

to make believe; to feign

Synonyms & similar words

makebelieve fictitious assumed sham dissemble hazard fictive profess act affect feign false pretend guess make puton venture faked feigned acted assumed counterfeited dissimulated falsified imitated professed shammed simulated played bluffed claimed deceived dissembled fabricated

Synonyms by register

Formal

feigned simulated affected

Informal

faked put on acted

Literary

dissembled counterfeited

Antonyms

real actual genuine authentic true sincere earnest

Common collocations

  • pretended to be
  • pretended to know
  • pretended to care
  • pretended to sleep
  • pretended to be rich
  • pretended to be happy
  • pretended to understand

Word family

noun pretense
verb pretend
adjective pretentious

Usage note

Often used with 'to' followed by a verb or noun phrase. Can imply deception or a playful act depending on context.

Example sentences

  1. I pretended to be a superhero and saved the day!
  2. She pretended to be a doctor and gave her dolls check-ups.
  3. He pretended to be a cowboy and rode his toy horse.
  4. We pretended to be chefs and cooked up a storm.
  5. The cat pretended to be asleep so it could catch the mouse by surprise.

Quotes

  • I always tell the truth. Even when I lie. - Al Pacino, Scarface
  • The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up. - Paul Valery
  • The most difficult thing in life is to know yourself. - Thales

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