1. false claims or reasons given to hide one’s real intentions or feelings
Usage: plural of pretense
2. attempts to appear more important, skilled, or knowledgeable than one actually is
Usage: plural of pretense

Examples

• She dropped all pretenses and admitted she was scared.
• His pretenses of being wealthy fooled no one.
• The company operated under false pretenses for years.
• Without any pretenses, he told them exactly what he thought.
• Her artistic pretenses were obvious to everyone at the gallery.
• They maintained their pretenses even when caught lying.
• He had no pretenses about his lack of experience.