pretext
noun
[ ˈpriːtɛkst ]
• a reason given in justification of a course of action that is not the real reason.
• "the rebels had the perfect pretext for making their move"
Similar:
excuse,
false excuse,
ostensible reason,
alleged reason,
plea,
supposed grounds,
guise,
ploy,
pretence,
ruse,
semblance,
show,
blind,
pose,
masquerade,
mask,
cloak,
veil,
veneer,
smokescreen,
camouflage,
cover,
travesty,
parody,
charade,
Origin:
early 16th century: from Latin praetextus ‘outward display’, from the verb praetexere ‘to disguise’, from prae ‘before’ + texere ‘weave’.
on the pretext
• giving the specified reason as one's justification.
• "he called round on the pretext of asking after her mother"
