pretence

make a pretence of affection

he made an elaborate pretence of yawning.

he was quick to disclaim any pretence to superiority.

The theory made the greatest pretence of having a scientific foundation.

no pretence could have counterfeited such terror.

at Christmas, arguments and friction mock our pretence at peace.

She isn't really ill; it's only pretence.

he had clearly abandoned all pretence of trying to succeed.

his anger is masked by a pretence that all is well.

he asked me questions without any pretence at politeness.

He didn’t like the food, but he made a pretence of eating some of it as he was a guest.

The law does not allow of a captious and strained intendment， for such nice pretence of certainty confounds true and legal certainty.

The thieves got into the house under false pretences, by saying they had come to repair the water taps.