PRETEXT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does pretext mean? 

• PRETEXT (noun)
  The noun PRETEXT has 2 senses:

1. something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason

2. an artful or simulated semblance

  Familiarity information: PRETEXT used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PRETEXT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

pretext; stalking-horse

Hypernyms ("pretext" is a kind of...):

dissembling; feigning; pretence; pretense (pretending with intention to deceive)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "pretext"):

putoff (a pretext for delay or inaction)

Sense 2

Meaning:

An artful or simulated semblance

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

guise; pretence; pretense; pretext

Context example:

under the guise of friendship he betrayed them

Hypernyms ("pretext" is a kind of...):

color; colour; gloss; semblance (an outward or token appearance or form that is deliberately misleading)

 Context examples 

The whole story was a pretext.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

At all events you will come back: you will not be induced under any pretext to take up a permanent residence with her?

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

For goodness’ sake don’t you ever on any pretext set your foot over the threshold at night, for it’s as much as your life is worth.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He says nothing to anyone, but he arranges that he shall go out on some pretext to see his client that night.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Ruth drew Martin away with her on a pretext; when she had got him aside, whispering:-

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

This villain’s policy was to murder, on one pretext or another, every man who showed such promise that he might in time come to be a dangerous rival.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Mrs. Dashwood's visit to Lady Middleton took place the next day, and two of her daughters went with her; but Marianne excused herself from being of the party, under some trifling pretext of employment; and her mother, who concluded that a promise had been made by Willoughby the night before of calling on her while they were absent, was perfectly satisfied with her remaining at home.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

I say again that, if the ring has fallen low, it is not in the main the fault of the men who have done the fighting, but it lies at the door of the vile crew of ring-side parasites and ruffians, who are as far below the honest pugilist as the welsher and the blackleg are below the noble racehorse which serves them as a pretext for their villainies.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

You will not speak to him on any pretext—and—Richard, it will be at the peril of your life if you speak to her: open your lips—agitate yourself—and I'll not answer for the consequences.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Unhappily, Murillo heard of his excellence, recalled him on some pretext, and had him shot.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)