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pretext

/ˈpriːtɛkst/

pretextnoun

pretexts

/ˈpriːtɛkst/

Translations

prétexte

He used the need to visit his grandmother as a pretext to leave the meeting early.

Il a invoqué le besoin de rendre visite à sa grand-mère comme prétexte pour quitter la réunion plus tôt.

Definitions

A reason given in justification of a course of action that is not the real reason.

He used the need to visit his grandmother as a pretext to leave the meeting early.

Synonyms

pretextverb

pretexted

Past Simple

pretexted

Past Participle

pretexting

ing-form

/ˈpriː.tɛkst/

/ˈpriˌtɛkst/

Rare, chiefly formal; transitive and intransitive

Translations

prétexter

She pretexted illness to avoid attending the ceremony.

Elle a prétexté une maladie pour éviter d’assister à la cérémonie.

Definitions

To give or put forward a false or insincere reason as a cover for one’s real motive or purpose.

She pretexted illness to avoid attending the ceremony.

(rare, archaic) To plan or intend beforehand; to contrive in advance.

The outcome had been pretexted long before the discussions began.

Synonyms

cover up

pretextadjective

Used attributively before a noun to mean ‘serving as a pretext’; rare outside attributive position.

Translations

prétextéEmploi attributif : « servant de prétexte », « ostensible ».

The officers made a pretext stop after noticing a minor traffic violation.

Les policiers ont procédé à un arrêt prétexté après avoir remarqué une infraction mineure au code de la route.

Definitions

Serving as or constituting a pretext; ostensible rather than real (used attributively).

The officers made a pretext stop after noticing a minor traffic violation.