Collocations for "pretend"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "pretend" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2025
pretend
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.v
- pretend (not) to [care, love, understand, like, notice, know, have]
- pretend to be a [doctor, lawyer, firefighter]
- pretend (that) nothing [happened, is happening]
- pretend you are [on the beach, in the mountains]
- pretend you are [skiing, flying]
- pretend it doesn't exist
- pretend you never [went, saw, heard]
- you can't pretend you don't [know, care, love]
- pretend like [nothing happened, you're listening]
- (I'm) just pretending
- let's pretend we're [doctors, sisters]
- just pretend (for a moment) that
- at least try to pretend
- can no longer pretend (to)
- pretending to [nobility, high birth]
- pretend [diamonds, money]
- playing with pretend [food, cars, tools]
- (has a) pretend [friend, boyfriend]
- (don't worry) it is only a pretend [knife, gun]
- a pretend interest in [math, economics, her day]
- let's play pretend
- a game of pretend
'pretend' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):