pretences
Acts put on
Pretences is the British spelling of pretenses, the plural of pretense.
A pretence is a false display or claim, an act of pretending something is true when it isn't.
Someone might maintain a pretence of calm while panicking inside, or drop all pretences when the truth comes out.
The word often appears in phrases like under false pretences, meaning through deception or misrepresentation.
He obtained the money under false pretences.
Fraudulent imitation
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
- conArgument against
- deceitDeliberate misleading of others
trickery · swindle · scam · misrepresentation · fakery · dishonesty · subterfuge · fabrication
Deceptive act or costume party
- playactingInsincere dramatic performance
- performanceCarrying out a task
- actingTemporarily holding position
- theatricsExaggerated dramatic behavior
farce · mockery · pantomime · skit · travesty · spectacle · showmanship · burlesque
Decorative outer layer
- frontForward-facing side
- maskFace-worn concealment
- appearanceOutward visible form
- showMake something apparent
display · smokescreen · cover-up · window-dressing · gloss · semblance · surface · exterior
Pretentious behavioral displays
- affectationArtificial behavior for effect
- swaggerConfident, boastful manner
- bravadoPretense of fearlessness
- pompOstentatious display of dignity
ostentation · grandiosity · self-importance · pomposity · snobbery · haughtiness · conceit · puffery
Stubbornly held false belief
- fantasyImaginative mental wandering
- figmentImagined thing, unreal
- chimeraUnrealistic fantasy or hybrid
- unrealityQuality of being imaginary
fiction · invention · dream · make-believe · wishful thinking · self-deception
sham
Fraudulent imitation
deceit · trickery · swindle · scam · misrepresentation · fakery · dishonesty · subterfuge · fabrication · duplicity
masquerade
Deceptive act or costume party
- playactingInsincere dramatic performance
- performanceCarrying out a task
- actingTemporarily holding position
theatrics · farce · mockery · pantomime · skit · travesty · spectacle · showmanship · burlesque · simulation
veneer
Decorative outer layer
- frontForward-facing side
- maskFace-worn concealment
- appearanceOutward visible form
show · display · smokescreen · cover-up · window-dressing · gloss · semblance · surface · exterior · outward
airs
Pretentious behavioral displays
- affectationArtificial behavior for effect
- swaggerConfident, boastful manner
- bravadoPretense of fearlessness
pomp · ostentation · grandiosity · self-importance · pomposity · snobbery · haughtiness · conceit · puffery · vainglory
delusion
Stubbornly held false belief
- fantasyImaginative mental wandering
- figmentImagined thing, unreal
- chimeraUnrealistic fantasy or hybrid
unreality · fiction · invention · dream · make-believe · wishful thinking · self-deception
pretencesgenuineness
Quality of being real
sincerity · authenticity · realness · true feelings · candor
pretenceshonesty
Truthfulness, sincerity
truthfulness · truth · frankness · forthrightness · directness
- false pretenceDeliberate misrepresentation to deceive