to act as if one were not who or what one is or as if things were different from the way they really are, esp in play
to make it seem (that something is the case when it is not)
He's pretending to be deaf
She pretended that she didn't know
to act as if one were (somebody) or were doing (something) in a game of make-believe
They're pretending to be doctors and nurses
to claim or make it appear that one has, thinks, or feels (something that one does not); to simulate (something)
He pretended an interest in politics just to get to know her better
to claim or assert (something)
I do not pretend to understand the theory fully
to act as if things were different from the way they really are, esp in play
She was only pretending
(+ to) to claim to have something
He was not one who pretended to great learning
(+ to) to be ambitious for or suggest one has a right to something
She did not pretend to high office