Synonyms for pretext
ˈpri tɛkstpre·text

WiktionaryRate these synonyms:4.0 / 1 vote

1. pretextverb

   Synonyms:
   blag

2. pretextverb

   To employ a pretext, which involves using a false or contrived purpose for soliciting the gain of something else.

   The spy obtained his phone records using possibly-illegal pretexting methods.

   Synonyms:
   blag

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:5.0 / 1 vote

1. pretext

   A pretense, in the unfavorable, which is also the usual sense, is something advanced or displayed for the purpose of concealing the reality. A person makes a pretense of something for the credit or advantage to be gained by it; he makes what is allowed or approved a pretext for doing what would be opposed or condemned; a tricky schoolboy makes a pretense of doing an errand which he does not do, or he makes the actual doing of an errand a pretext for playing truant. A ruse is something (especially something slight or petty) employed to blind or deceive so as to mask an ulterior design, and enable a person to gain some end that he would not be allowed to approach directly. A pretension is a claim that is or may be contested; the word is now commonly used in an unfavorable sense. Compare ARTIFICE; HYPOCRISY.

   Synonyms:
   affectation, air, assumption, cloak, color, disguise, dissimulation, excuse, mask, pretense, pretension, ruse, seeming, semblance, show, simulation, subterfuge, trick, wile

   Antonyms:
   actuality, candor, fact, frankness, guilelessness, honesty, ingenuousness, openness, reality, simplicity, sincerity, truth

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. pretext, stalking-horsenoun

   something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason

   Synonyms:
   pretence, guise, stalking-horse, pretense

2. guise, pretense, pretence, pretextnoun

   an artful or simulated semblance

   "under the guise of friendship he betrayed them"

   Synonyms:
   pretending, pretence, simulation, pretense, pretension, feigning, guise, make-believe, stalking-horse, dissembling

Matched Categories

1. • Pretense
   • Semblance

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. pretextnoun

   Synonyms:
   show (to conceal a thing done), appearance, affectation, simulation, mask, color, PRETENCE

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "pretext":

   excuse, guise, pretence, alibi, pretense, cloak

How to pronounce pretext?

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Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use pretext in a sentence?

1. Antony Blinken:

   First Russia plans to manufacture a pretext for its attack – this could be a violent event that Russia will bring on Ukraine or an outrageous accusation that Russia will level against the Ukrainian government.

2. Lula Institute:

   The only (purpose) ... is to subject the former President to public embarrassment, it is not Lula's credibility that is compromised when its leaders turn to a political target in the most fragile pretext.

3. Stephan Rieke:

   Yesterday's rally was a bit overdone and investors are taking profit as they prepare for the holiday. Lower oil prices this morning and weaker U.S. markets gave the pretext to sell, looking forward, I expect volatility to persist in the coming sessions but the market could gain some strength as we move into 2016.

4. Narottam Mishra:

   This law will prevent innocent girls being forcefully converted on pretext of marriage.

5. Ron DeSantis:

   First of all, it'd be a cash cow for them if they had Disney, but I'm worried that they would use that as a pretext to raise taxes on people when that's what they would want to do anyways and then try to blame Reedy Creek, so we're not going to give them that opportunity.