Pretext (Noun)

Something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason.

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.

An artful or simulated semblance; "under the guise of friendship he betrayed them".

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects.

The politician's promise to create jobs was just a pretext for raising taxes and increasing government spending.
He used his charitable work as a pretext for schmoozing with wealthy donors to fund his own business ventures.
Under the guise of a business dinner, they secretly met to discuss their plan to start their own company.
The government used the threat of terrorism as a pretext to suspend civil liberties and increase surveillance.
The police officer's traffic stop was only a pretext for searching the driver's vehicle without a warrant.