pretending

3 definitions • 6 examples

present participle of

to behave as if something is true when you know that it is not, especially in order to deceive people or as a game:

[ + (that) ] He pretended (that) he didn't mind, but I knew that he did.

The children pretended (that) they were dinosaurs.

[ + to infinitive ] Were you just pretending to be interested?

She's not really hurt - she's only pretending.

Of course I was angry - I can't pretend otherwise.

to not claim something that is false:

I don't pretend to be an expert on the subject.