pretext
Plural: pretexts
Noun
- something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason
- an artful or simulated semblance
- A false, contrived, or assumed purpose or reason; a pretense.
Verb
Verb Forms: pretexted, pretexting, pretexts
- To put forward as a false reason or excuse.
- To employ a pretext, which involves using a false or contrived purpose for soliciting the gain of something else.
Examples
- He tried to PRETEXT his illegal word as a genuine mistake, but the dictionary proved him wrong.
- The reporter called the company on the pretext of trying to resolve a consumer complaint.
- The spy obtained his phone records using possibly-illegal pretexting methods.
Origin / Etymology
From Latin praetextum (“an ornament, etc., wrought in front, a pretense”), neuter of praetextus, past participle of praetexere (“to weave before, fringe or border, allege”).
Synonyms
guise, pretence, pretense, stalking-horse, alibi, blag, canard, excuse, plea, pretension, pretext, zhuangbility
Scrabble Score: 16
pretext: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Wordpretext: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
pretext: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary