What Is Pretend? Definition And Usage Of This Term
WHAT IS PRETEND – In this topic, we will first know and learn the definition of this term and how is this term used in sentences.
Definition
The Oxford Dictionary defines the term as the following:
- speak and act so as to make it appear that something is the case when in fact it is not
- lay claim to (a quality or title).
- give the appearance of feeling or possessing (an emotion or quality); simulate.
- not really what it is represented as being; used in a game or deception.
Meanwhile, the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines this term as the following:
- to give a false appearance of being, possessing, or performing
- to make believe
- to claim, represent, or assert falsely
- to feign an action, part, or role especially in play
- to put in a claim
- being a nonfunctional imitation
- not genuine
Synonyms
Here are some of the following synonyms:
- make as if
- profess
- affect
- dissimulate
- dissemble
- put on an act
- make believe
- play at
- act
- playact
- feign
- sham
- fake
- simulate
- put on
Etymology
It is a late Middle English term which is from the Latin praetendere, which means ‘stretch forth, claim’,
Examples
Here are some examples of the usage of this term:
- The first thing the little humbug did was to produce a tiny white piglet from underneath his hat and pretend to pull it apart, making two.
- I wear it too, when I’m alone, and pretend that we are one forever.
- It began with a glance as we passed each other the first time, a smile the next two or three laps, and then a pretend rest stop.
- Jenn resisted the urge to leave, wanting to pretend things were as normal as possible between them.
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