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2
as in arrogance
an exaggerated sense of one's importance that shows itself in the making of excessive or unjustified claims
a woman full of pretension and pompousness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in affectation
the quality or state of appearing or trying to appear more important or more valuable than is the case
the pretension of that French restaurant is more than I can bear
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in purpose
something that one hopes or intends to accomplish
has serious pretensions of becoming a writer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of pretension
Yes, there’s a lot of cheap, pandering garbage, but that’s true on major streaming services, too, and Tubi has no pretensions to awards qualifications or pop-culture relevance.
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Josh Bell, Vulture, 27 June 2024
But if the West keeps its nerve, sanctions can help end Putin’s imperial pretensions once and for all.
—Edward Fishman, Foreign Affairs, 23 Feb. 2023
The upshot: a $190-million (some reports place the budget closer to $200 million) jukebox musical with seeming art-house pretensions whose odds of justifying its cost now seem remote.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2024
The past month in Lebanon, like the past year in Gaza, has demonstrated that Israel’s leaders have no idealistic pretensions about establishing a new political order in Lebanon or in the Strip.
—Mohanad Hage Ali, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pretension 
Josh Bell, Vulture, 27 June 2024
But if the West keeps its nerve, sanctions can help end Putin’s imperial pretensions once and for all.
—Edward Fishman, Foreign Affairs, 23 Feb. 2023
The upshot: a $190-million (some reports place the budget closer to $200 million) jukebox musical with seeming art-house pretensions whose odds of justifying its cost now seem remote.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2024
The past month in Lebanon, like the past year in Gaza, has demonstrated that Israel’s leaders have no idealistic pretensions about establishing a new political order in Lebanon or in the Strip.
—Mohanad Hage Ali, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pretension
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretension
Noun
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The order, which according to the report is expected any day, would bar the sale of drilling rights in large portions of the outer continental shelf.The Editors, National Review, 6 Jan. 2025
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At the 2025 Golden Globes on Sunday night, Netflix’s cartel musical Emilia Pérez won the evening’s final award for best musical or comedy, prompting lead actress Karla Sofía Gascón to deliver a touching speech in support of trans rights.James Factora, Them, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Trump’s Comments About The Panama Canal Trump remarked that the United States should regain control of the Panama Canal, a statement that evoked arrogance and colonialism in the past.Ken Silverstein, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
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The historical 'attitude' (arrogance) in his acting has fueled MAGA, and his endorsements of Trump are undeniably overbearing and irrational.Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
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She’s doe-eyed and eager and preening with Grande adopting a mid-century affectation, à la Gloria Grahame in Oklahoma!Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2024
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Some have weird affectations that appear to have no actual purpose, some have extraordinary techniques few others can match.Nick Miller, The Athletic, 9 July 2024
Noun
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Plus, headbands serve a practical purpose too by keeping your hair out of your face.Kiana Murden, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2025
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However, the purpose of the coenzyme is not just the appearance of eternal youth.Essence, Essence, 9 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Absolute Dominion takes place In the year 2063 AD, when the world faces catastrophe as zealots and extremists wage a global holy war in the name of spiritual superiority.Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 13 Jan. 2025
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The dominant view in Washington argues for peace through strength, that only clear military superiority can deter China’s ambitions to subsume Taiwan and exert dominance across the Indo-Pacific.Brad Dress, The Hill, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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In the most recent suit, filed Dec. 27 in Los Angeles County Superior Court, former patients accuse Brock of groping their breasts and genitals unnecessarily under the pretense of legitimate medical examinations.Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025
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Both Loughlin and Giannulli, 57, pleaded guilty last May to paying $500,000 in bribes to get Olivia Jade and Isabella fraudulently admitted to the University of Southern California on the pretense of being recruits for the school’s rowing team.Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 5 Dec. 2024
Noun
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This week, the Axios Charlotte team met up at Urban District Market to do some vision boarding, goal setting and manifesting for the new year.Laura Barrero, Axios, 13 Jan. 2025
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But not every renovation will sustain that last goal.Alexandra Kelly, Architectural Digest, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Parker, who teaches seventh-grade life science and eighth-grade chemistry, said entering a competition goes far beyond simply generating an idea.Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Jan. 2025
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Having oil companies pick up the tab is an appealing idea.William Baldwin, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near pretension
Cite this Entry
“Pretension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretension. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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