Pretend and Simulate

Pretend

Pretend verb - To take on a false or deceptive appearance.
Usage example: I pretended that I didn't care that my ex had a new man in her life

Simulate is a synonym for pretend in feign topic. In some cases you can use "Simulate" instead a verb "Pretend", when it comes to topics like action, fake, counterfeit, true. popular alternative

Simulate

Simulate verb - To present a false appearance of.
Usage example: cosmetics that simulate a suntan

Pretend is a synonym for simulate in action topic. You can use "Pretend" instead a verb "Simulate", if it concerns topics such as counterfeit, true, honest, deceive. popular alternative

Common collocations

speech pretend speech simulate speech
sex pretend sex simulate sex
time pretend time simulate time
game pretend game simulate game
Other words: accent, weapon, eyes, emotions.
Cite this Source
Simulate and Pretend. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 14, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/pretend/simulate
Pretend & Simulate. N.p., 2016. Web. 14 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/pretend/simulate>.
Simulate or Pretend. 2016. Accessed August 14, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/pretend/simulate.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "pretend" and "simulate" have occurred on timeline