The reporter called the company on the pretext of trying to resolve a consumer complaint.
The spy obtained his phone records using possibly-illegal pretexting methods.
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pretext — PRETÉXT, pretexte, s.n. Motiv (neîntemeiat sau neadevărat) invocat ca justificare a unei acţiuni sau pentru a escamota un motiv real. ♢ loc. conj. Sub pretext că... = pretinzând că... ♦ Impuls, stimulent. – Din fr. prétexte. Trimis de oprocopiuc … Dicționar Român
Pretext — Pre text (?; 277), n. [F. pr[ e]texte, L. praetextum, fr. praetextus, p. p. of praetexere to weave before, allege as an excuse; prae before + texere to weave. See {Text}.] Ostensible reason or motive assigned or assumed as a color or cover for… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
pretext — I noun affectation, alibi, alleged purpose, alleged reason, camouflage, charade, claim, cover, deception, defense, disguise, evasion, excuse, fabrication, false appearance, false ground, false motive, false pretense, false reason, false show,… … Law dictionary
pretext — (n.) 1510s, from L. praetextum a pretext, originally neuter pp. of praetexere to disguise, cover, from prae in front + texere to weave (Cf. pull the wool over someone s eyes); from PIE root *tek make (see TEXTURE (Cf. texture)) … Etymology dictionary
pretext — excuse, plea, alibi, *apology, apologia Analogous words: ruse, *trick, maneuver, stratagem: *deception: justification, vindication, defending or defense (see corresponding verbs at MAINTAIN) … New Dictionary of Synonyms
pretext — [n] disguise; alleged reason affectation, alibi, appearance, bluff, cleanup, cloak, color*, coloring*, cop out*, cover, cover story*, coverup*, device, excuse, face, feint, fig leaf*, front, guise, mask, masquerade, plea, ploy, pretense, red… … New thesaurus
pretext — ► NOUN ▪ an ostensible or false reason used to justify an action. ORIGIN Latin praetextus outward display , from praetexere to disguise … English terms dictionary
pretext — [prē′tekst΄] n. [L praetextum, neut. of praetextus, pp. of praetexere, to weave before, pretend: see PRE & TEXTURE] 1. a false reason or motive put forth to hide the real one; excuse 2. a cover up; front … English World dictionary
pretext — n. 1) to find a pretext for 2) a flimsy; mere pretext 3) a pretext to + inf. (it was a pretext to occupy more territory) 4) a pretext that + clause (she refused to attend on the pretext that she would be out of town) 5) at, on, under a pretext… … Combinatory dictionary
pretext — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ flimsy ▪ Several schools banned the game on flimsy pretexts. ▪ false ▪ This was a false pretext to attack another country. VERB + PRETEXT ▪ … Collocations dictionary
Pretext — (Roget s Thesaurus) >Ostensible motive, ground, or reason assigned. < N PARAG:Pretext >N GRP: N 1 Sgm: N 1 pretext pretext pretense pretension plea| Sgm: N 1 allegation allegation advocation Sgm: N 1 ostensible motive ostensible motive… … English dictionary for students
