pretence

pre·tence
P3R1E1T1E1N1C3E1
US/ˈpɹiːtɛns/UK/pɹɪˈtɛns/

noun

British standard spelling of pretense.

Similar
pretensionpretenseguisepretextfeigningdissemblingmake-believepretending
UncommonScrabble 12
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Meanings

nounpretence (countable and uncountable, plural pretences)

plural pretences · alternative US pretense · alternative archaic prætence

  1. countableuncountableBritish standard spelling of pretense.

Synonyms & antonyms

nouna false or unsupportable quality

Similar
pretensionpretense
Broader
artificiality

nounan artful or simulated semblance

Similar
guisepretensepretext
Broader
semblanceglosscolor

nounpretending with intention to deceive

Similar
pretensefeigningdissembling
Broader
misrepresentationdeceitdeception

nounimaginative intellectual play

Similar
pretensemake-believe
Broader
imaginationimagingimagery

nounthe act of giving a false appearance

Similar
pretensepretendingsimulationfeigning
Broader
deceptiondeceitdissembling
Also see
dissemblingfacadefeigningguisemake-believepretendingpretensepretensionpretextsimulation

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Rhymes & wordplay

Rhymes with pretence

sensedefenseexpensehencedefenceoffenseintensefencedensesuspensecommenceimmensetensethencewhencespencepencedispensecondenserecompensereminiscencecensecompenseflense
All rhymes →
Cite this entry
APA

pretence. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/pretence

MLA

“pretence.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/pretence. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “pretence,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/pretence.

Source: pretence on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.