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Definition pretend in British English

pretend verb

verb
/prɪˈtend/
1

to behave in a particular way because you want someone to believe that something is true when it is not

Example

We were never going to make the marriage work, so why pretend?

Example

She closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep.

Example

I'm sorry, but I can't just sit back and pretend it hasn't happened.

Example

I know you hate my haircut, so it's no good pretending otherwise.

Example

It was useless to pretend innocence.

Synonyms and related words
pretend fake simulate
2

to imagine that something is true when you are playing a game

Example

They're pretending they're astronauts again.

Example

The little girl was pretending to be a lion.

Synonyms and related words
pretend fake simulate
3

to claim that something is true when it is not

Example

I'm not going to pretend we achieved a lot.

Example

I don't pretend to have all the answers.

Example

He's never pretended to any great knowledge of art.

Synonyms and related words
pretend fake simulate
Definition pretend in British English