Definition & Meaning of "pretext"in English

Pretext

a false reason or excuse given to justify an action or behavior, hiding the true motive behind it

Grammatical Information

Animacy status

Abstract

Composition

Compound

Countable

singular

not gender specific

Plural form

pretexts

Examples

She used a family emergency as a pretext to leave the party early, but her friends suspected she simply wasn't enjoying herself.

an artful or simulated semblance

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