pretense

• Nom désignant l'action de créer une fausse apparence ou de feindre afin de tromper, ainsi qu'une prétention ou une affectation visant à paraître autre que ce que l'on est.

A noun referring to the act of giving a false appearance or pretending with the intention to deceive, as well as imaginative intellectual play or an artful semblance.

1. B2formal

   The act of giving a false appearance, often to conceal the truth.

   Fausse apparence

   • She made a pretense of being interested in his story.
   • His kindness was just a pretense to gain their trust.
   • Under the pretense of friendship, he gathered information.

   Synonymesaffectationdeceptiondissimulationfacadefalsehoodfeintmaskshamshowsimulationsubterfuge

   Antonymescandorgenuinenesshonestyrealitysinceritytruth

2. Deceptive intentionB2formal

   Pretending with the intention to deceive others.

   intention trompeuse

   • The spy entered the country under the pretense of being a journalist.
   • He maintained a pretense of innocence throughout the trial.
   • Their offer was a pretense to hide their real motives.

   Synonymesdeceptiondissimulationduplicityfeigningguilepretextruseshamsubterfugetrick

   Antonymescandorgenuinenesshonestyintegritysinceritytruthfulness

3. Imaginative playC1formal

   Imaginative intellectual play or make-believe.

   Jeu imaginaire / Faire semblant

   • Children often engage in pretense when playing house.
   • The novel blurs the line between reality and pretense.
   • The game required a suspension of disbelief and a willingness to engage in pretense.

   Synonymesfantasymake-believeplayplayactingroleplay

4. False qualityC1formal

   A false or unsupportable quality or claim.

   Fausse qualité

   • His claim to nobility was a mere pretense.
   • The company's pretense of environmental concern was exposed as a lie.
   • She had no pretense to being an expert on the subject.

   Synonymesaffectationdisplayfacadefrontguisemaskposepretensionsemblanceshamshowsimulation

   Antonymesauthenticitygenuinenesshonestyrealitysinceritytruth

5. C1formal

   An artful or simulated semblance of something.

   Semblant simulé

   • The painting was a pretense of realism, but lacked true depth.
   • He maintained a pretense of calm despite his inner turmoil.
   • The ceremony was a pretense of tradition, stripped of its original meaning.

   Synonymesaffectationappearancedissimulationfacadeguiseposesemblanceshamshowsimulation

   Antonymesactualitygenuinenessrealitytruth