1
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pretension
This is disposable entertainment with no pretensions to being anything more, whose 90-odd minutes may be unmemorable yet pass by as enjoyably as a chance reunion with old friends.
—
Dennis Harvey, Variety, 1 Aug. 2025
Happy's father's untimely death was what led to Happy developing a short fuse, and his bond with his grandma was what first inspired him to take up the game of golf despite his distaste for the pretensions of the sport.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 25 July 2025
The dining room is filled with pretension that keeps the volume whisper-level quiet, but who needs to chat loudly when every bite screams.
—Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 23 July 2025
Caminero’s 19th home run of the first round was the moment all my pretension was stripped away.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretension
Dennis Harvey, Variety, 1 Aug. 2025
Happy's father's untimely death was what led to Happy developing a short fuse, and his bond with his grandma was what first inspired him to take up the game of golf despite his distaste for the pretensions of the sport.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 25 July 2025
The dining room is filled with pretension that keeps the volume whisper-level quiet, but who needs to chat loudly when every bite screams.
—Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 23 July 2025
Caminero’s 19th home run of the first round was the moment all my pretension was stripped away.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretension
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretension
Noun
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The job cuts are permanent, and employees will not have bumping rights to other positions.—
Chase Jordan,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
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In a 21-page ruling, Talwani found that ICE holding an 18-year-old migrant arrested on charges of shoplifting without a bond hearing violated his due process rights.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Mitchell prides himself on being a no-nonsense, no-bulls*** kind of man, but his attitude can sometimes come across as arrogance.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
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This arrogance is not just limited to tech titans.—
Christian Josi,
Boston Herald,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The band sets aside the winks and retro affectations for something unadorned and honest.—
Sarah Grant,
Rolling Stone,
19 Aug. 2025
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The scenic appeal is undeniable, nature’s majestic prose both frames and dwarfs the tumultuous affectations of the characters.—
Holly Jones,
Variety,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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In a 2004 study, the United States Institute of Peace said that hundreds of terrorist groups had migrated online, utilizing a tool meant for better communication for often nefarious purposes.—
Richard Frankel,
ABC News,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Timothy Olyphant, again, sells the superiority well.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
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Originally from Ohio, Howard would whisper-speak his lectures to a crowded room, describing with fatigued superiority people (including his family) who couldn’t properly appreciate Nijinsky.—
Rivka Galchen,
New Yorker,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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By showing both timelines, director Cato Kusters resists using Julian’s illness as a plot device, encouraging us to watch these women without the pretense of melodrama.—
Jourdain Searles,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Sep. 2025
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But not everyone accepts that pretense.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Create a list of 20-30 companies aligned with your career goals.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
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China’s already reached its goal of getting 300 million people involved.—
Russell Flannery,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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As a public institution, UVU upholds First Amendment rights and fosters an environment where ideas – popular or controversial – can be exchanged freely, energetically, and civilly.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
15 Sep. 2025
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Some ideas came from experience.—
Sophie Carson,
jsonline.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretension. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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