English Synonym Finder

pretext

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Definitions

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

﹒An ostensible or professed purpose; an excuse.

Examples

﹒He used a minor technicality as a pretext to fire his assistant.

﹒Under the pretext of conducting a routine inspection, the inspector gained access to the restricted area.

﹒She visited the office on the pretext of returning a book, but she really wanted to see if he was there.

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