What does "pretender" mean?
One who intends or purposes.
Pretender
/pɹɪˈtɛndəɹ/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: One who intends or purposes.
- Grammar: pretender is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: fraud, impostor, actor, affecter.
- Useful contrasts: authenticity, genuineness, legitimate ruler.
- Usage evidence: They knew how to unmask the prince pretender.
How to use "pretender"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "pretender" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "pretender" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "pretender" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "pretender" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "pretender" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "fraud" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "pretender", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 One who intends or purposes. obsolete, rare
"Pretensor, a pretender, he that purposeth."
- 2 a person who professes beliefs and opinions that he or she does not hold in order to conceal his or her real feelings or motives wordnet
- 3 One who puts forth a claim, or who aspires to or aims at something; a claimant, candidate, or aspirant; now, one who makes baseless pretensions.
"By how straight a Rule […] must that Pretender carry himselfe, who is to saile thorow the sea of this world, hoping for a fortune from another mans hand?"
- 4 a person who makes deceitful pretenses wordnet
- 5 One who puts forth a claim, or who aspires to or aims at something; a claimant, candidate, or aspirant; now, one who makes baseless pretensions.; One who aspires to the hand of a woman in marriage; a suitor, a wooer. obsolete
"He, of the two pretenders, that best loves me."
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 a claimant to the throne or to the office of ruler (usually without just title) wordnet
- 7 One who puts forth a claim, or who aspires to or aims at something; a claimant, candidate, or aspirant; now, one who makes baseless pretensions.; A claimant to a throne or the office of a ruler; originally in a neutral sense, but now always applied to a claimant who is held to have no just title.
"If inteſtine Broils allarm the Hive, / (For two Pretenders oft for Empire ſtrive)"
- 8 One who pretends or lays claim to something; one who makes a profession, show, or assertion, especially without adequate grounds, falsely, or with intent to deceive; a dissembler, deceiver, charlatan, hypocrite.
"A pretender / To the art, I truely honor, and ſubſcribe / To your maieſties opinion."
- 9 A person who professes beliefs and opinions that they do not hold.
Verb
- 1 To tender (a bid, etc.) in advance. uncommon
"The LPM coordinates closely with the EPM and the case attorney throughout the pretendering period. The Licensing Assistant (LA) in the assigned project branch requests that a project number be assigned by the Records Facilities[…]"
Antonyms
Example
"They knew how to unmask the prince pretender."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "pretender"?
Common synonyms include: fraud, impostor, actor, affecter, arriviste, arrogator.
How do you use "pretender" in a sentence?
They knew how to unmask the prince pretender.
How do you pronounce "pretender"?
Pronounced /pɹɪˈtɛndəɹ/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From pretend + -er.
Etymology 2
From pre- + tender.