pretended
v.v. to act as if something is true when you know it is not. You might do this to play a game or to hide your real feelings.
v. to behave so as to make it appear that something is the case when in fact it is not. Often followed by a 'that' clause or an infinitive phrase.
She pretended to be asleep when I walked in.
The children pretended they were explorers searching for hidden treasure in the backyard.
He pretended that the criticism did not bother him, though his colleagues noticed he became increasingly withdrawn during the subsequent project meetings.
Often followed by 'to' + infinitive or a 'that' clause.
He pretended me that he was richHe pretended to me that he was richPretend cannot take a direct person object; you must use 'to' before the person being deceived.