Pretended

Past tense of 'pretend.' To give the appearance of possessing (a quality or feeling) or doing (something); to behave as if something is true when it is not. It implies an act of deliberate deception or feigning, whether for amusement, social reasons, or with malicious intent. The scope can range from lighthearted make-believe to a more serious attempt to mislead. 'Pretended' can also describe something that is not real or genuine, but rather an imitation or a simulation. Essentially, it's about creating a false impression or outward show.

Pretended meaning with examples

• The children pretended to be pirates, searching for buried treasure in the sandbox, their imaginations transforming the backyard into a vast and dangerous ocean.
• She pretended not to notice him staring, hoping he would eventually lose interest and move on, leaving her to enjoy her book in peace and quiet.
• He pretended to be sick in order to avoid the boring meeting, feigning a headache and a terrible stomach ache to convince his boss of his misery.
• They pretended to be happy for the newlyweds, offering congratulations while secretly harboring feelings of jealousy and resentment, masking their true emotions.