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What do you call someone who pretends to be something they are not? I was thinking "pretentious" but I looked up pretentious in the Merriam dictionary and think it's too strong. I want a milder term. Something that does not connote arrogance.

1.) self-consciously trying to present an appearance of grandeur or importance

2.) having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude

(https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretentious)

p.s. it doesn't have to be a single word really

maruazura
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  • https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/42404/what-is-an-idiom-slang-for-someone-who-pretends-to-be-good-when-theyre-not – Decapitated Soul Jan 14 '21 at 18:56
  • Can you give more details? It will depend on the nature and purpose of the pretence. For instance if they're trying to deceive someone, trick them out of money, or just prone to exaggeration and fooling around, those are very different. Likewise are they pretending to be a doctor, to be wise, to be someone else, etc.? – Stuart F Jan 15 '21 at 15:08

5 Answers5

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It really has to be 'imposter':

Noun

  1. A person who practices deception under an assumed character, identity, or name.

Dictionary.com

Blessing
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deceive verb : to trick someone to believe something not real. Fishy tricky adj

Sameh Al Gazzer
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    Welcome to the EL&U. If you wish to answer here, please include the research you have made in order to answer and explain why you chose to give this information. – fev Jan 15 '21 at 10:38
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If they are claiming the throne, you could call them a pretender.

Walter Mitty
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  • Short answers like this one do not contribute much. Please include definitions from reliable dictionaries and explain why you think the word you give is the right one. – fev Jan 15 '21 at 10:40
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Assumed, as in 'Assumed Identity' - from Wiktionary 2. To take on a position, duty or form Mr. Jones will assume the position of a lifeguard until a proper replacement is found. 3. To adopt a feigned quality or manner; to claim without right; to arrogate He assumed an air of indifference 5. To adopt (an idea or cause)

Cypress Butane
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Dissembler

Courtesy of Merriam-Webster:

1: to hide under a false appearance
dissembling the facts

2: to put on the appearance of
She lay down and dissembled sleep.

to conceal facts, intentions, or feelings under some pretense
He had dissembled about the risks involved.

EleventhDoctor
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