pretexto
pretext
noun preh-TEKS-toh Rare
Origin: From Latin praetextum (cloak, disguise), from praetexere (to disguise).
Also means
excuse
Usage Note
Pretexto refers to a false reason given to justify an action, carrying a mildly negative connotation of deliberate deception — stronger than the neutral excusa. The common phrase con el pretexto de means 'under the pretext of'. A near-synonym in formal register is subterfugio, which stresses the bad-faith, fraudulent character of the excuse.
Examples
"Usó el trabajo como pretexto para no ir."
Natural Translation
He used work as a pretext not to go.

Free starter pack
Building your Spanish vocabulary?
Get the 100 most common Spanish words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.
Related Words
Explore Spanish by topic