pretext

/ˈpɹiːtɛkst/

noun

  1. 1

    A false, contrived, or assumed purpose or reason; a pretense.

    The reporter called the company on the pretext of trying to resolve a consumer complaint.

verb

  1. 1

    To employ a pretext, which involves using a false or contrived purpose for soliciting the gain of something else.

    The spy obtained his phone records using possibly-illegal pretexting methods.

Synonyms

Translate “pretext” to another language

Click any language to open the translator with this word already filled in.