pretended

[ pri-ten-did ]
/ prɪˈtɛn dɪd /

adjective

insincerely or falsely professed: a pretended interest in art.
feigned, fictitious, or counterfeit: His pretended wealth was proved to be nonexistent.
alleged or asserted; reputed.

Origin of pretended

late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; see origin at pretend, -ed2

OTHER WORDS FROM pretended

pre·tend·ed·ly, adverb self-pre·tend·ed, adjective un·pre·tend·ed, adjective

Definition for pretended (2 of 2)

pretend
[ pri-tend ]
/ prɪˈtɛnd /

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

adjective

Informal. make-believe; simulated; counterfeit: pretend diamonds.

Origin of pretend

1325–75; Middle English pretenden < Latin praetendere to stretch forth, put forward, pretend. See pre-, tend1

SYNONYMS FOR pretend

1 simulate, fake, sham, counterfeit. Pretend, affect, assume, feign imply an attempt to create a false appearance. To pretend is to create an imaginary characteristic or to play a part: to pretend sorrow. To affect is to make a consciously artificial show of having qualities that one thinks would look well and impress others: to affect shyness. To assume is to take on or put on a specific outward appearance, often (but not always) with intent to deceive: to assume an air of indifference. To feign implies using ingenuity in pretense, and some degree of imitation of appearance or characteristics: to feign surprise.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH pretend

portend pretend (see synonym study at the current entry)

Example sentences from the Web for pretended

British Dictionary definitions for pretended

pretend
/ (prɪˈtɛnd) /

verb

(when tr, usually takes a clause as object or an infinitive) to claim or allege (something untrue)
(tr; may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to make believe, as in a play you pretend to be Ophelia
(intr foll by to) to present a claim, esp a dubious one to pretend to the throne
(intr foll by to) obsolete to aspire as a candidate or suitor (for)

adjective

fanciful; make-believe; simulated a pretend gun

Word Origin for pretend

C14: from Latin praetendere to stretch forth, feign, from prae in front + tendere to stretch