/ ˈpriːtekst; NAmE / noun
pretext (for sth / for doing sth) | pretext (to do sth) a false reason that you give for doing sth, usually sth bad, in order to hide the real reason; an excuse :
The incident was used as a pretext for intervention in the area.
He left the party early on the pretext of having work to do.
➡ note at reason
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WORD ORIGIN
early 16th cent.: from Latin praetextus outward display, from the verb praetexere to disguise, from prae before + texere weave.