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
Boasting fresh sea air, healing waters and inspiring natural light, this area of the country offers a unique opportunity to experience luxury the Danish way: without pretension, surrounded by nature and the highest quality art, food and design.
—
Lois Alter Mark, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
The man who once mocked piety had become a moral touchstone; the scold of American pretensions now dined with tycoons.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
Starr was the fastest to comic relief and most averse to pretension in any form.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2025
Their pretensions are witheringly lampooned in this comic thriller about Ronnie, a Pakistani American who tags along to the desert enclave with her friend turned life coach, Marley.
—Calum Marsh, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretension
Lois Alter Mark, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
The man who once mocked piety had become a moral touchstone; the scold of American pretensions now dined with tycoons.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
Starr was the fastest to comic relief and most averse to pretension in any form.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2025
Their pretensions are witheringly lampooned in this comic thriller about Ronnie, a Pakistani American who tags along to the desert enclave with her friend turned life coach, Marley.
—Calum Marsh, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretension
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretension
Noun
-
Every child deserves the right to a safe sleep environment free from invisible chemical hazards that threaten their development, their potential, and ultimately their future.—
Arlene Blum,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
Although Alston is often linked by media to name, image and likeness, which derives from the right of publicity, NIL didn’t appear once in the ruling.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
10 June 2025
Noun
-
The film sardonically conjures a golden age of interventionist arrogance.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
29 May 2025
-
Here are the more common ways insecurities can manifest themselves: • Confidence will turn into arrogance.—
Bill English,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
Noun
-
From our review: Tessa Van den Broeck, a newcomer, plays Julie with zero affectation.—
The New York Times,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
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No fussy affectations, just a deliberate tamping down of his more charismatic qualities.—
A.A. Dowd,
Rolling Stone,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The vast majority of university endowments are restricted to specific purposes such as scholarships, professorships and other academic programs.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2025
-
While these measures aim to increase efficiency and reduce unnecessary costs by eliminating administrative burdens, DEI may have served a crucial purpose in enhancing VA services to its underserved veteran communities.—
Cristina Johnson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 June 2025
Noun
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As long as the world remains fixated on the Jews and Israel, Islamists and their allies can use their overwhelming numbers (and, yes, their financial superiority) to flood the zone with demonizing propaganda and portray themselves as the good guys.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
-
The company reports that comparative tests consistently confirm its superiority over traditional elastomers, especially after aggressive industrial processing.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
Perhaps Posey will look into that now that the pretense of the campaign has been lost.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
5 June 2025
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UConn is already closing small classes and programs on the pretense of efficiency, while asking faculty to teach increasingly larger classes.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
1 June 2025
Noun
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But Bennett’s goal would not keep the Panthers ahead for long.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
7 June 2025
-
There is not any goal that can justify continuing the military operation at the risk of losing the hostages, at the risk of losing the lives of Israeli soldiers, and the risk of losing the lives of many of the non-involved people in Gaza.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
6 June 2025
Noun
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Nearly half of these offenders exhibited evidence of fixation – an intense or obsessive preoccupation with an individual, activity, or idea.—
Donald J. Mihalek,
ABC News,
16 June 2025
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Interacting with experienced individuals, solving non-artistic problems and engaging in varied tasks exposes you to new ideas, perspectives and life experiences that subtly inform and enrich your art.—
Kice Akkawi,
Rolling Stone,
16 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretension. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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