0 a pretended reason for doing something that is used to hide the real reason:
The border dispute was used as a pretext for military intervention.
I called her on the pretext of needing more information.
He came round to see her on some flimsy (= obviously false) pretext.
1 a pretended reason for doing something that is used to hide the real reason:
The charge against the king was little more than a formality, and the business of proving his guilt or innocence was really just a pretext.
What we face here is not a standard of proof but a pretext-and a flimsy one at that-for a conviction or for an acquittal.
This context must provide the pretext for understanding the work and extent of resistance.
The offering of feigned opposition can give moderates a welcome scapegoat and pretext for moderation.
Reading between the lines one suspects the change of address charge of being a technical pretext for expelling him.
They found various pretexts and seized all kinds of opportunities to achieve this goal.
In fairness, we believe the pretexts given for the many rewrites were subconsciously rather than consciously manipulative.
Employers also had the option of providing a housing allowance in lieu of accommodation, which some used as a pretext to limit wages.