1
as in arrogant
self-consciously trying to present an appearance of grandeur or importance
that pretentious couple always serves caviar at their parties, even though they themselves dislike it
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in superior
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude
a pretentious author whose books only appeal to equally pretentious readers
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pretentious
As one of the few people who Cher (Alicia Silverstone) can really be herself around — and the only one who can call her out on her own cluelessness — even Josh’s (Paul Rudd) pretentious intellectual posturing is charming.
—
James Mercadante, EW.com, 14 Feb. 2025
Accusing it of being pretentious, an ego trip, and lacking depth.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 10 Mar. 2025
His style and references can seem a little pretentious now.
—Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025
In the cool interiors of this chic Parisian address though, savouring an aged Armagnac after lunch or dinner is not a pretentious throwback, but a gastronomic pleasure.
—Paul Caputo, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretentious
James Mercadante, EW.com, 14 Feb. 2025
Accusing it of being pretentious, an ego trip, and lacking depth.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 10 Mar. 2025
His style and references can seem a little pretentious now.
—Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025
In the cool interiors of this chic Parisian address though, savouring an aged Armagnac after lunch or dinner is not a pretentious throwback, but a gastronomic pleasure.
—Paul Caputo, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretentious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretentious
Adjective
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Ava Daniels is a young comedy writer who is unable to find work due to an insensitive tweet and her reputation for being self-centered and arrogant.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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And the villains, of course, exuding every nastily relatable emotion; the stepmothers and sorceresses are vain, arrogant, dismissive, lonely, rude, and outrageous.—
Darren Franich,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Nelis renders the professor a pompous and pedantic twit but not a heartless one.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2025
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Our rituals and our cassocks are pompous.—
Paul Elie,
The New Yorker,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Smoke favors a dapper gray three-piece suit and flat cap, while Stack, gold tooth caps glittering in his mouth, is more ostentatious in his burgundy fedora with matching tie and pocket square.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
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By taking up a quarter of the space in her car with her ostentatious hat.—
Kinsey Jasnoch,
Vulture,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Incorporate grandiose accents like opulent chandeliers, old-world upholstery, and ornate picture frames.—
Isabella Milano,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Apr. 2025
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Nithyananda was also grandiose, linking himself to long religious and royal lineages.—
Mujib Mashal,
New York Times,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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For generations, students and researchers from around the world have flocked to Boston, drawn not just to a college or university but to a region where high-minded intellectual life was part of its brand.—
Jenna Russell,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
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The business would draw inspiration from high-minded local establishments like The Monarch Bar and Ocean Prime.—
David Hudnall,
Kansas City Star,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Mizrahi - What was the proudest moment of your career?—
Isaac Mizrahi,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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If Holzhauer’s proud of his service and believe he’s earned the property tax exemption, then own it.—
Naperville Sun,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretentious. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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