“Pretense” refers to the act of pretending or giving a false appearance, typically to deceive others or to create a misleading impression. It involves the use of feigned behavior, false statements, or a disguise to conceal one’s true intentions, feelings, or identity. Pretense is often employed to achieve a particular goal, gain an advantage, or avoid unwanted consequences. It can manifest in various forms, such as pretending to have certain qualities, concealing emotions, or putting on a false front to manipulate a situation.
Sample Sentences:
- His cheerful demeanor was just a pretense to hide the turmoil within.
- The elaborate story he told was a pretense to cover up the real reason for his absence.
- She maintained a pretense of interest in the conversation, despite being bored.
- Their friendship was built on a pretense of mutual admiration, masking underlying rivalry.
- The extravagant lifestyle was merely a pretense to project an image of success.
- The apology seemed sincere, but it was just a pretense to avoid further conflict.
- His exaggerated laughter was a pretense to fit in with the group.
- The politician’s promises turned out to be nothing but a pretense to gain votes.
- The smile on her face was a pretense, hiding the hurt she felt inside.
- The entire situation was shrouded in pretense, making it challenging to discern the truth.
Synonyms and Indonesian Equivalents:
- Feigning: Berpura-pura
- Sham: Pura-pura
- Deception: Penipuan
- Disguise: Menyamar
- Pretending: Berpura-pura
- Falsehood: Kebenaran palsu
- Charade: Akting
- Simulation: Simulasi
- Duplicity: Dua wajah
- Hypocrisy: Kemunafikan
The Dance of Deception
In a world where feigning and sham were the norm, there lived a master of deception named Evelyn. She was a master of disguise and had perfected the art of pretending. Her life was a carefully crafted charade, where every move and every word was a calculated simulation.
Evelyn reveled in the world of duplicity and hypocrisy, where pretense ruled over authenticity. She danced through life, effortlessly weaving webs of falsehood to manipulate those around her. To the outside world, she appeared as a paragon of virtue and grace, but beneath her elegant facade, darkness lurked.
Her true intentions hidden behind a veil of charm, Evelyn played her game of deception with precision. She used her skills of feigning and pretending to gain power and control over others. No one suspected the depths of her deceit, for she was a master of manipulation.
But as time went on, cracks began to form in Evelyn’s carefully constructed world. Her web of lies grew tangled, and the weight of her sham became too heavy to bear. The facade she had so meticulously crafted began to crumble, revealing the true nature of her pretense.
One by one, those who had been deceived by Evelyn’s cunning nature started to see through her charade. They saw the emptiness behind her smiles and the hollowness in her words. The truth could no longer be hidden, and the consequences of her actions came crashing down upon her.
In the face of her exposure, Evelyn’s world collapsed. The once powerful manipulator found herself alone, stripped of her disguises and left to face the consequences of her duplicity. The very people she had deceived now stood united against her, reclaiming their power and exposing her for who she truly was.
The tale of Evelyn serves as a cautionary reminder that pretense and deception may provide temporary gains, but in the end, the truth will always prevail. Authenticity and honesty are the foundation of true connections, and those who choose to live a life of deceit will ultimately find themselves isolated and exposed.
Antonyms and Indonesian Equivalents:
- Authenticity: Otentisitas
- Sincerity: Ketulusan
- Honesty: Kejujuran
- Transparency: Keterbukaan
- Genuineness: Keaslian
- Reality: Realitas
- Truthfulness: Kejujuran
- Openness: Keterbukaan
- Candor: Kesungguhan
- Frankness: Kejujuran
Words Derived from it and Indonesian Equivalents:
- Pretend: Berpura-pura
- Pretender: Pemain sandiwara
- Pretending: Berpura-pura
Related Words and Indonesian Equivalents:
- Masking: Menyembunyikan
- Concealment: Penyembunyian
- Deceptive: Menipu
- Illusion: Ilusi
- Facade: Fasad
Phrasal Verbs and Indonesian Equivalents:
- Put on a show: Menampilkan pertunjukan
- Playact: Berlakon
- Keep up appearances: Menjaga penampilan
- Make-believe: Bermain-bermain
Common Expressions and Indonesian Equivalents:
- Behind the façade: Di balik tirai
- Keep a straight face: Tahan tawa atau ekspresi lainnya
- Wear a mask: Menggunakan topeng
- Play the part: Bermain peran
Related Idioms and Indonesian Equivalents:
- Smoke and mirrors: Kesenangan palsu
- A wolf in sheep’s clothing: Seorang manusia yang jahat yang menyamar sebagai baik
- Put on airs: Berlagak
- Paint a false picture: Melukis gambar palsu