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Pretense vs Paternalize - What's the difference?

pretense | paternalize |

As a noun pretense

is (us) a false or hypocritical profession, as, under pretense of friendliness.

As a verb paternalize is

to make paternal; to place in a fatherly role.

pretense

English

Alternative forms

* pretence (Only correct spelling in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, and Commonwealth countries, and historical use in the United States) * (archaic)

Noun

(en noun)
  • (US) A false or hypocritical profession, as, under pretense of friendliness.
  • Intention or purpose not real but professed.
  • with only a pretense of accuracy
  • An unsupported claim made or implied.
  • An insincere attempt to reach a specific condition or quality.
  • Synonyms

    * affectation denotes deception for the sake of escape from punishment or an awkward situation * false pretense * fiction * imitation * pretext * sham * subterfuge * See also

    Anagrams

    * * *

    paternalize

    English

    Verb

    (paternaliz)
  • To make paternal; to place in a fatherly role.
  • * 1912 , Edith M Phelps, Selected Articles on Government Ownership of the Telegraph
  • To paternalize the government or make it more bureaucratic is in their judgment to repress private enterprise and to imitate the monarchical systems...
  • control organizations, things etc. disregarding people's freedom and responsibility under guise and pretense of knowing what would be good and proper for them