Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

false pretenses

noun
/fɔls ˈpriːˌtɛnsɪz/
Definition
The act of deceiving someone to gain something, often involving misrepresentation of the truth.
Examples
  • He was arrested for obtaining money under false pretenses.
  • The scam was based on false pretenses, leading many to lose their savings.
  • She acted with false pretenses when she promised to deliver the goods that she never intended to provide.
Meaning
False pretenses refers to a situation where an individual uses deceit or trickery to achieve a goal, typically to obtain property or services under false claims.
Synonyms
  • deception
  • fraud
  • misrepresentation
  • trickery
  • falsehood