What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

False vs Pretended - What's the difference?

false | pretended |

As an adjective false

is untrue, not factual, factually incorrect.

As a noun false

is one of two options on a true-or-false test.

As an adverb false

is not truly; not honestly; falsely.

As a verb pretended is

past tense of pretend.

false

English

Adjective

(er)
  • Untrue, not factual, factually incorrect.
  • *{{quote-book, year=1551, year_published=1888
  • , title= A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles: Founded Mainly on the Materials Collected by the Philological Society , section=Part 1, publisher=Clarendon Press, location=Oxford, editor= , volume=1, page=217 , passage=Also the rule of false position, with dyuers examples not onely vulgar, but some appertaynyng to the rule of Algeber.}}
  • Based on factually incorrect premises: false legislation
  • Spurious, artificial.
  • :
  • *
  • *:At her invitation he outlined for her the succeeding chapters with terse military accuracy?; and what she liked best and best understood was avoidance of that false modesty which condescends, turning technicality into pabulum.
  • (lb) Of a state in Boolean logic that indicates a negative result.
  • Uttering falsehood; dishonest or deceitful.
  • :
  • Not faithful or loyal, as to obligations, allegiance, vows, etc.; untrue; treacherous.
  • :
  • *(John Milton) (1608-1674)
  • *:I to myself was false , ere thou to me.
  • Not well founded; not firm or trustworthy; erroneous.
  • :
  • *(Edmund Spenser) (c.1552–1599)
  • *:whose false foundation waves have swept away
  • Not essential or permanent, as parts of a structure which are temporary or supplemental.
  • (lb) Out of tune.
  • Noun

    (en noun)
  • One of two options on a true-or-false test.
  • Synonyms

    * * See also

    Antonyms

    * (untrue) real, true

    Derived terms

    * false attack * false dawn * false friend * falsehood * falseness * falsify * falsity

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • Not truly; not honestly; falsely.
  • * Shakespeare
  • You play me false .

    Anagrams

    * * 1000 English basic words ----

    pretended

    English

    Verb

    (head)
  • (pretend)
  • ----

    pretend

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To claim, allege, especially when falsely or as a form of deliberate deception.
  • * 1749 , (Henry Fielding), Tom Jones , XVIII.23:
  • *:"After what past at Upton, so soon to engage in a new amour with another woman, while I fancied, and you pretended , your heart was bleeding for me!"
  • *{{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)
  • , chapter=5 citation , passage=‘It's rather like a beautiful Inverness cloak one has inherited. Much too good to hide away, so one wears it instead of an overcoat and pretends it's an amusing new fashion.’}}
  • * 2009 , "Vanity publishing", The Economist , 13 Apr 2009:
  • I have nothing but contempt for people who hire ghost-writers. But at least most faux authors have the decency to pretend that they are sweating blood over "their" book.
  • To feign, affect (a state, quality, etc.).
  • * Milton
  • This let him know, / Lest, willfully transgressing, he pretend / Surprisal.
  • * 2007 , The Guardian , 29 Oct 2007:
  • Gap and other clothes manufacturers should stop using small subcontractors because they are difficult to control. Instead, they should open up their own fully-owned production facilities so that they cannot pretend ignorance when abuses are committed.
  • To lay claim (to) (an ability, status, advantage, etc.). (originally used without to )
  • * Dryden
  • Chiefs shall be grudged the part which they pretend .
  • * 1946 , (Bertrand Russell), History of Western Philosophy , I.25:
  • People observed the diversity of schools and the acerbity of their disputes, and decided that all alike were pretending to knowledge which was in fact unattainable.
  • To make oneself appear (to) do or be doing something; to engage in make-believe.
  • * 1814 , (Jane Austen), Mansfield Park :
  • *:"The truth is, Ma'am," said Mrs. Grant, pretending to whisper across the table to Mrs. Norris, "that Dr. Grant hardly knows what the natural taste of our apricot is [...]."
  • * 2003 , Duncan Campbell, The Guardian , 23 Jan 2003:
  • Luster claimed that the women had consented to sex and were only pretending to be asleep.
  • (obsolete) To hold before, or put forward, as a cloak or disguise for something else; to exhibit as a veil for something hidden.
  • * Milton
  • Lest that too heavenly form, pretended / To hellish falsehood, snare them.
  • (obsolete) To intend; to design; to plot; to attempt.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Such as shall pretend / Malicious practices against his state.
  • (obsolete) To hold before one; to extend.
  • *1596 , (Edmund Spenser), The Faerie Queene , VI.11:
  • *:Pastorella […] Was by the Captaine all this while defended, / Who, minding more her safety then himselfe, / His target alwayes over her pretended […].
  • Usage notes

    * This is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive . See