Pretext

noun

/ˈpɹiːtɛkst/

Word Frequency: 2.3

Definitions

1.nounA false, contrived, or assumed purpose or reason; a pretense.

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

2.verbTo 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."

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