Pretend to is a commonly used phrase that means to behave as if something is true when you know that it is not. However, there are many synonyms that can be used in place of this phrase. Some of the common synonyms are feign, simulate, counterfeit, fake, masquerade, and impersonate. These words not only help to add variety to your writing but also give a clear and precise meaning to your sentence. So, next time when you want to use the phrase pretend to, you can try using one of these synonyms to convey your message more effectively.