Pretend

To behave or speak as if something is the case when it is not, typically in play or to deceive. It involves consciously adopting a false appearance or attitude for a specific purpose. This action can be lighthearted, as in imaginative games, or serious, used to mask true feelings or intentions. The degree of commitment to the pretense can vary, ranging from a fleeting moment of imagination to an elaborate and sustained performance. Often, there is an awareness, either by the actor or the audience, that the situation is not genuine, although the boundary between reality and pretense can sometimes blur, leading to confusion or manipulation.

Pretend meaning with examples

• The children loved to pretend they were knights, using sticks as swords and cardboard boxes as castles. They would gallop around the garden, enacting elaborate battles and rescuing imaginary princesses. This allowed them to explore their imaginations and practice social interactions, developing their storytelling abilities and creating a shared experience of make-believe, further enhancing their creativity and social bonds.
• Feeling shy, Sarah pretended to be confident in her presentation, practicing her delivery in front of a mirror to convey a strong and assured presence. Although she was nervous inside, the act of pretending helped her to overcome her anxieties and successfully deliver her speech. By feigning confidence, she managed to project an image of competence and project an image of competence and get positive feedback.
• During the negotiation, the salesperson had to pretend that they were willing to go much lower on the price of their product than they actually were. They spoke in a calm and relaxed tone, making small talk as they pushed back the price and negotiated other sales features. This required them to skillfully hide their eagerness to finalize the deal and create an illusion of flexibility to achieve a favorable outcome. This was a test of their acting capabilities.
• The con artist would pretend to be a wealthy philanthropist in order to gain the trust of their targets. They would dress the part, using expensive clothing and accessories and sharing exaggerated stories of their charitable works. This manipulation, fueled by a carefully constructed facade and sophisticated social engineering skills, allowed them to extract money and valuables from unsuspecting victims, highlighting the deceptive potential of pretense.