What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tartuffery
Example
The politician's tartuffery was exposed when he was caught engaging in illegal activities. [tartuffery: noun]
Example
She accused him of tartuffery, claiming that he only attended church for show. [tartuffery: noun]
pretense
Example
He maintained the pretense of being wealthy, even though he was deeply in debt. [pretense: noun]
Example
She pretended to be interested in his hobbies as a pretense to get closer to him. [pretense: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pretense is more commonly used than tartuffery in everyday language. Pretense is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while tartuffery is less common and has a more specific meaning.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tartuffery and pretense?
Both tartuffery and pretense are formal words that are typically used in written or academic contexts. However, pretense is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while tartuffery is more limited in its usage.
