a pretence (the more usual word)

pretence

(an act of) criminal dishonesty; a person who pretends to be qualified, to have authority or to want to be kind, but who is or does not

trickery, deception

any trick, phrase, article of clothing etc used especially by actors, advertisers, to attract attention, customers etc

contrived object; scheme

(an example, instance of) falsely making oneself appear to be virtuous or good

deceitfulness, pretence

something imposed, e.g. a tax, burden, fine

deception

(music for) a kind of quick, lively dance; an apparatus that holds a piece of work and guides the tools that are used on it

trick

a dance where people wear masks; a false show or pretence

disguise; social occasion for disguises

a clever but deceitful way of doing something; trick

trick, deception

(to produce) an amusing and exaggerated or deceptive account

trick, mockery

to cheat a person (in order to get money etc)

cheating, stealing

something done in order to deceive or done to make a person appear ridiculous; a practical joke; a feat of skill with the hands

deceit

deception, joke

deception, joke