Pretended: meaning, definitions and examples

When someone makes something appear true that is not, often used for minor or playful deceptions.

• She pretended to be surprised at her own birthday party
• The children pretended to be superheroes

Used when someone makes a false show of something, often used in more formal or literary contexts.

• He feigned illness to avoid going to school
• The spy feigned ignorance when questioned

When copying the appearance or conditions of something, often used in technical, scientific, or training contexts.

• The flight simulator can simulate various weather conditions
• They simulate real-world scenarios during the training

Refers to performing or behaving in a certain way, commonly in a theatrical or formal setting.

• He had to act polite during the meeting even though he was upset
• She acts in plays at the local theater

Used when someone acts as if something is true when it is not, often to deceive others or in playful scenarios.

• She pretended to be sick to skip school
• The kids pretended they were pirates

Used in the context of children’s play or storytelling, involving playing a role or imagining a fantastical scenario.

• The children played make-believe, pretending they were astronauts
• In the world of make-believe, animals can talk

Used when someone thinks about or forms a mental image of something that is not present or real. This can be neutral or creative.

• Can you imagine a world without conflict? She imagined herself on stage, receiving the award

Used when someone daydreams or thinks about things that are highly improbable or impossible. Often has a hopeful, wishful tone.

• He likes to fantasize about winning the lottery
• She fantasized about living on a tropical island

Use in situations where someone is faking or feigning something, usually related to emotions or actions.

• She pretended to be happy even though she was sad
• He pretended to be asleep when his mom checked on him

Best used in legal or official situations where someone is asserting a right to something, often in courts or legal documents.

• The claimant seeks compensation for the damages caused by the accident
• He became a claimant to the throne after his father’s death

Appropriate in scenarios involving someone who has taken power or position without having the right to do so, often with a negative connotation.

• The usurper seized control of the kingdom after the king's mysterious disappearance
• History remembers them as a usurper who claimed the throne by force