PRETEND Synonyms: 152 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'pretend' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pretend are affect , assume , counterfeit , feign , sham , and simulate . While all these words mean "to put on a false or deceptive appearance," pretend implies an overt and sustained false appearance. // pretended that nothing had happened

Q: Where would 'affect' be a reasonable alternative to 'pretend'?

In some situations, the words affect and pretend are roughly equivalent. However, affect implies making a false show of possessing, using, or feeling. // affected an interest in art

Q: When might 'assume' be a better fit than 'pretend'?

Although the words assume and pretend have much in common, assume often implies a justifiable motive rather than an intent to deceive. // assumed an air of cheerfulness around the patients

Q: In what contexts can 'counterfeit' take the place of 'pretend'?

The meanings of counterfeit and pretend largely overlap; however, counterfeit implies achieving the highest degree of verisimilitude of any of these words. // an actor counterfeiting drunkenness

Q: How does the word 'feign' relate to other synonyms for 'pretend'?

Feign implies more artful invention than pretend , less specific mimicry than simulate . // feigned sickness

Q: When is 'sham' a more appropriate choice than 'pretend'?

The words sham and pretend can be used in similar contexts, but sham implies an obvious falseness that fools only the gullible. // shammed a most unconvincing limp

Q: When can 'simulate' be used instead of 'pretend'?

While in some cases nearly identical to pretend , simulate suggests a close imitation of the appearance of something. // cosmetics that simulate a suntan

pretend 1 of 2

verb

pri-ˈtend

Definition of pretend

as in to pose

to take on a false or deceptive appearance I pretended that I didn't care that my ex had a new man in her life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to assume

to present a false appearance of as if I would ever pretend illness just to take off a day from work

Synonyms & Similar Words

pretend

2 of 2

adjective

as in faux

being such in appearance only and made with or manufactured from usually cheaper materials if you were to see the movie's pretend jewels in real life, you wouldn't be fooled for a minute

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in imaginary

not real and existing only in the imagination it's just a pretend gun, so please pretend that I got you and play dead

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb pretend contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pretend are affect, assume, counterfeit, feign, sham, and simulate. While all these words mean "to put on a false or deceptive appearance," pretend implies an overt and sustained false appearance.

pretended that nothing had happened

Where would affect be a reasonable alternative to pretend?

In some situations, the words affect and pretend are roughly equivalent. However, affect implies making a false show of possessing, using, or feeling.

affected an interest in art

When might assume be a better fit than pretend?

Although the words assume and pretend have much in common, assume often implies a justifiable motive rather than an intent to deceive.

assumed an air of cheerfulness around the patients

In what contexts can counterfeit take the place of pretend?

The meanings of counterfeit and pretend largely overlap; however, counterfeit implies achieving the highest degree of verisimilitude of any of these words.

an actor counterfeiting drunkenness

How does the word feign relate to other synonyms for pretend?

Feign implies more artful invention than pretend, less specific mimicry than simulate.

feigned sickness

When is sham a more appropriate choice than pretend?

The words sham and pretend can be used in similar contexts, but sham implies an obvious falseness that fools only the gullible.

shammed a most unconvincing limp

When can simulate be used instead of pretend?

While in some cases nearly identical to pretend, simulate suggests a close imitation of the appearance of something.

cosmetics that simulate a suntan

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of pretend

Verb

Slusser exemplifies the mindset on the left, those who pretend not to understand things, thus making discourse impossible. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026 Any excuse to drop the laptop, leave the city, turn the phone over, or pretend for seventy-two hours that the inbox has lost its jurisdiction is taken as a minor national mercy. — Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Adjective

In Silky Smooth, Liao explores the chaotic stages of adulthood, scheduling fun plans with tired friends, the unfair treatment of single people, being attracted to silly men, and the fear of being a role model to her pretend children. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 20 Apr. 2026 Around the museum, children can be heard squawking through a flight simulator of a UPS Boeing 747-8F to a pretend command tower learning to leverage flight technology. — Olivia Evans, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pretend

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretend

Verb

It was founded in 1949 in response to security concerns after World War II and the growing threat posed by the Soviet Union.

— Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.

— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2026

Definition of pose

Verb

Some Cuba watchers are skeptical Rodríguez Castro could assume a leading role in the official government.

— Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Vahidi, who assumed the role after his predecessor Mohammad Pakpour was killed in US-Israeli strikes on the first day of the war, is rarely seen in public.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 5 July 2026

Definition of assume

Adjective

Hop aboard an imaginary Vespa, or perhaps a high-speed train eastward to the boot country, where not every meal comes blistering out of a brick oven or ladled from a bubbling pot.

— Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 July 2026
Some rehearse using a bedpan — placing it in the right spot, cleaning out the imaginary contents.

— Elissa Nadworny, NPR, 30 June 2026

Definition of imaginary

Verb

Win prizes playing interactive games, network with artists and entrepreneurs and enjoy signature drinks and bar snacks available for purchase.

— Lesly Gregory, AJC.com, 1 July 2026
Men leaders can pay attention to and be mindful of who in the workplace may be playing more of an emotional support role that falls outside their job description.

— Holly Corbett, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of play

Verb

During its week-long test this past March, engineering teams monitored ERNEST across several navigational scenarios, including traveling at night and other poor lighting conditions to simulate certain lunar environments.

— Josh Dinner, Space.com, 5 July 2026
These digital tools are built upon real-world operational datasets gathered from active fusion research environments, which will allow the company to simulate and optimize fuel handling processes before physical implementation.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 July 2026

Definition of simulate

Adjective

First was a Drug Enforcement Administration badge and ID with Horsch’s photo on it, but the ID was fake, and Horsch has never worked for the DEA, according to court documents.

— Danny Freeman, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
This game preserves the difficulty of coming up with an elaborate, consistent false narrative on the spot, and the challenge of adapting that narrative on the fly when other players present convincing (and sometimes fake) counter-evidence.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 30 June 2026

Definition of fake

Adjective

The book traces the fictitious Yeoman family’s evolution over generations from self-sufficient homesteaders to participants in global markets.

— Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 23 June 2026
Hosting its usual presentation at its headquarters, located a stone’s throw from San Babila square, the brand installed video walls that broadcast a fictitious runway show created with the help of AI.

— Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 22 June 2026

Definition of fictitious

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preteens

pretend

pretended

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“Pretend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretend. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of pretend

verb

adjective

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