Pretext
//ˈpɹiːtɛkst// noun, verb
noun, verb ·Moderate ·High school level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A false, contrived, or assumed purpose or reason; a pretense.
"The reporter called the company on the pretext of trying to resolve a consumer complaint."
- 2 an artful or simulated semblance wordnet
- 3 something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason wordnet
Verb
- 1 To employ a pretext, which involves using a false or contrived purpose for soliciting the gain of something else.
"The spy obtained his phone records using possibly-illegal pretexting methods."
Example
More examples"He often uses the slightest thing as a pretext for a fight with anybody."
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”).
More for "pretext"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.