Pretend (verb)

1. To make believe with the intent to deceive.
2. To give a false appearance of being, possessing, or performing.
3. To act as if something is true when it is actually false.
4. To make believe that something is true or real.
5. To simulate the existence or presence of.

Origin:

15th century, from old french pretendre, from latin praetendere to stretch out before, claim, allege, from prae- + tendere to stretch.

Examples:

1. He pretended to be asleep.
2. She pretended not to hear him.
3. The actor pretended to be someone else.
4. He pretended to know the answer.
5. The children pretended to be superheroes.