pretender
noun
pre·tend·er
pri-ˈten-dər 
: one that pretends: such as
a
: one who lays claim to something
specifically
: a claimant to a throne who is held to have no just title
b
: one who makes a false or hypocritical show
Synonyms
Examples of pretender in a Sentence
it turns out that the guy who claimed to work for a modeling agency was just a pretender
Recent Examples on the Web
Other pretender brands like Stellantis’s DS, and Hyundai’s Genesis look to be fighting a losing battle.
—
Neil Winton, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
Those few Knights of the Round Table who remain are third-tier heroes, clinging to a past that is already washing out to sea, while various pretenders to the throne vye for power.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024
After two consecutive first-round playoff exits, many analysts have shifted their perception of the Bucks from championship contenders to pretenders.
—Brian Sampson, Forbes, 21 Sep. 2024
Granted, August contenders can morph into November pretenders.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Pretender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pretender. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
pretender
noun
pre·tend·er
pri-ˈten-dər
1
: a person who pretends
2
: a person who claims a throne without right
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