1. a false or made-up reason given to hide the real reason for doing something

Examples

• He used the meeting as a pretext to see her again.
• The police searched the house under the pretext of looking for stolen goods.
• She called in sick, but it was just a pretext to avoid the presentation.
• The invasion was launched under the pretext of protecting civilians.
• Don’t give me that pretext about being too busy to help.
• The company used budget cuts as a pretext to lay off workers.