pretenses
Deceptive outward shows
Pretenses are false appearances or claims meant to deceive.
Someone who gains entry under false pretenses misrepresents their intentions.
A pretense can also be a claim to skill or status: He makes no pretense of being an expert.
To drop all pretense is to stop concealing one's true motives or feelings.
British spelling: pretences.
Decorative outer layer
- frontForward-facing side
- maskFace-worn concealment
- appearanceOutward visible form
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
smokescreen · cover · illusion · affectation · simulation · fakery · window-dressing · cloak
Absurd or obvious pretense
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
- shamFraudulent imitation
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
- ruseDeliberate act of deception
trickery · deceit · duplicity · fraud · falseness · dishonesty · mendacity · fabrication
Insincere dramatic performance
- theatricsExaggerated dramatic behavior
- performanceCarrying out a task
- actingTemporarily holding position
- feigningPretending to feel something
impersonation · pantomime · role-playing · posing · faking · putting on · simulation · make-believe
Fabricated motive concealing truth
- alibiDefense of location
- justificationReason proving rightness
- rationalizationInventing acceptable motives afterward
- explanationStatement making something clear
defense · plea · evasion · subterfuge · cop-out · cover-up · story · fabrication
Pretentious behavioral displays
- affectationArtificial behavior for effect
- pomposityExaggerated sense of importance
- showMake something apparent
- pretentiousnessShowy self-importance
self-importance · haughtiness · arrogance · snobbery · grandstanding · false modesty · false humility · superiority
veneer
Decorative outer layer
- frontForward-facing side
- maskFace-worn concealment
- appearanceOutward visible form
disguise · smokescreen · cover · illusion · affectation · simulation · fakery · window-dressing · cloak · semblance
charade
Absurd or obvious pretense
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
- shamFraudulent imitation
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
ruse · trickery · deceit · duplicity · fraud · falseness · dishonesty · mendacity · fabrication · misrepresentation
playacting
Insincere dramatic performance
- theatricsExaggerated dramatic behavior
- performanceCarrying out a task
- actingTemporarily holding position
feigning · impersonation · pantomime · role-playing · posing · faking · putting on · simulation · make-believe · dissembling
pretext
Fabricated motive concealing truth
- alibiDefense of location
- justificationReason proving rightness
- rationalizationInventing acceptable motives afterward
explanation · defense · plea · evasion · subterfuge · cop-out · cover-up · story · fabrication · lie
airs
Pretentious behavioral displays
- affectationArtificial behavior for effect
- pomposityExaggerated sense of importance
- showMake something apparent
pretentiousness · self-importance · haughtiness · arrogance · snobbery · grandstanding · false modesty · false humility · superiority · condescension
pretensesrealities
Things that exist
authenticity · genuineness · sincerity · truth · the real thing
pretensessincerity
Honest, unfeigned genuineness
genuineness · authenticity · honesties · honesty · candor
pretenseshumilities
Absences of arrogance
humility · modesty · unpretentiousness · simplicity · humbleness
- false pretensesDeceptive claims for gain