pre⋅tend

- verb
1. to cause or attempt to cause what is not so to seem so.
2. to appear falsely, as to deceive; feign.
3. to make believe.
4. to presume; venture.
5. to allege or profess, esp. insincerely or falsely.
6. to lay claim to.
7. to make pretensions.
8. to aspire, as a suitor or candidate.
- adj.
9. make-believe; simulated; counterfeit.