(~es, ~ing, ~ed)
1.
If you ~ to do or have something, you claim that you do it or have it, often when you do not. (FORMAL)
She ~ed to hate her nickname...
Why do organisations ~ that they care?...
‘I don’t know,’ Pollard replied, ~ing innocence.
...the Republicans’ ~ed support for traditional family values.
= claim
VERB: V to-inf, V that, V n, V-ed
2.
If you ~ a feeling, opinion, or belief, you express it. (FORMAL)
He ~ed to be content with the arrangement...
Bacher ~ed himself pleased with the Indian tour.
...a right to ~ their faith in Islam.
VERB: V to-inf, V pron-refl adj, V n