1pre·tend 
/prɪˈtɛnd/ verb
pre·tends; pre·tend·ed; pre·tend·ing /prɪˈtɛnd/ verb 1 : to act as if something is true when it is not true [+ obj] ▪ She pretended (that) she didn't care what other people said about her. ▪ I'm going to pretend (that) we never had this conversation. ▪ He had a big stain on his shirt, but I pretended not to notice. ▪ The children pretended to be asleep. ▪ She pretended to be angry. = She pretended (that) she was angry. ▪ He pretended to be blind. = He pretended [=(more commonly) feigned] blindness. ▪ I don't pretend to have all the answers. [=I don't claim that I have all the answers] ▪ (formal) He was pretending an emotion he really couldn't feel. [no obj] ▪ I don't like having to pretend. = I don't like pretending. ▪ She looked like she was enjoying the party but she was just pretending. ▪ It was a mistake, and to pretend otherwise would be foolish. 2 : to imagine and act out (a particular role, situation, etc.) [+ obj] ▪ Pretend (that) I'm your boss. What would you say? ▪ The children were pretending to be animals. ▪ He pretended to make a phone call. [no obj] ▪ Let's just pretend for a moment. I'm your boss. What would you say to me?
pretend to [phrasal verb]
pretend to (something) formal : to claim that you have (something, such as a quality or ability)
▪ She pretends to a deep religious devotion, but I don't believe her. — usually used in negative statements ▪ I don't pretend to any expertise in these matters.
▪ She pretends to a deep religious devotion, but I don't believe her. — usually used in negative statements ▪ I don't pretend to any expertise in these matters.
— pretended adjective
▪ I wasn't fooled by her pretended indifference.
▪ I wasn't fooled by her pretended indifference.
