pretext
Cover story excuse
A pretext is a false or superficial reason given to disguise the real purpose behind an action: He used the meeting as a pretext to see her again.
The word implies deliberate deception—the stated reason sounds plausible but masks ulterior motives.
Under the pretext of checking on her health, he searched her apartment.
Stated basis for action
- explanationStatement making something clear
- defenseProtection against harm
- reasonBasis or justification
- basisUnderlying support or principle
grounds · excuse · plea · apology · vindication · warrant · legitimization
Deliberate act of deception
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- falsehoodDeliberate untrue statement
- deceitDeliberate misleading of others
trickery · dishonesty · manipulation · scheming · duplicity · misrepresentation · hoax · sham
Forward-facing side
- veneerDecorative outer layer
- maskFace-worn concealment
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
- guiseExternal manner shown
cloak · veil · cover · semblance · appearance · show · masquerade · camouflage
rationale
Stated basis for action
- explanationStatement making something clear
- defenseProtection against harm
- reasonBasis or justification
basis · grounds · excuse · plea · apology · vindication · warrant · legitimization
ruse
Deliberate act of deception
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- falsehoodDeliberate untrue statement
deceit · trickery · dishonesty · manipulation · scheming · duplicity · misrepresentation · hoax · sham · con
front
Forward-facing side
guise · cloak · veil · cover · semblance · appearance · show · masquerade · camouflage · screen
alibi
Defense of location
- cover storyFalse explanation for actions
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- evasionAct of escaping detection
dodge · lie · fib · story · tale · whitewash · cover-up · untruth · invention · fiction
ulterior motive
Concealed purpose behind behavior
- hidden agendaUndisclosed true purpose
- purposeReason something exists
- intentPlanned purpose
design · aim · objective · goal · end · cause · reason · impetus · incentive
- excusesexcuse, not my fault, overslept, alibi, excuses
- justificationsjustification, rationale, reason, excuse, explanation
- discrimination lawanti-discrimination, nondiscrimination, gender bias, pay discrimination, discrimination lawsuit
- deceptionlie, lies, lying, fake, fraud
- contextbackground, setting, circumstances, situation, environment
- escapeescape, flee, run away, get away, flight
pretextcandor
Unguarded truthfulness
forthrightness · transparency · openness · directness · sincerity
- let's pretend
- false pretensesDeceptive claims for gain
- false pretenceDeliberate misrepresentation to deceive
- pretend not to see
- pretend playImaginative childhood roleplay
- The PretenderFalse claimant to throne
pretend, pretended, pretending, pretense, pretentious, pretender, pretension, pretenders, pretence