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
So often a potential title decider, the only team here that have title pretensions are Liverpool.
—
Andy Jones, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
There’s no pretension or judgment here, but nearly everything is pleasing to the eye.
—Devorah Lev-Tov, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2025
Before Trump, Tokyo spent less than one percent of GDP on defense, an astonishingly low figure for a state adjacent to China and with great-power pretensions.
—Robert E. Kelly, Foreign Affairs, 22 Feb. 2022
Even Saanen’s most renowned, high-end establishments remain low-key and devoid of pretension, like 16 ART-BAR-RESTAURANT, credited by Michelin as Bib Gourmand for an experience and culinary offering that is both high quality and good value.
—Monica Mendal, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretension
Andy Jones, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
There’s no pretension or judgment here, but nearly everything is pleasing to the eye.
—Devorah Lev-Tov, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2025
Before Trump, Tokyo spent less than one percent of GDP on defense, an astonishingly low figure for a state adjacent to China and with great-power pretensions.
—Robert E. Kelly, Foreign Affairs, 22 Feb. 2022
Even Saanen’s most renowned, high-end establishments remain low-key and devoid of pretension, like 16 ART-BAR-RESTAURANT, credited by Michelin as Bib Gourmand for an experience and culinary offering that is both high quality and good value.
—Monica Mendal, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretension
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretension
Noun
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Bell recently acquired content rights for the Toronto Maple Leafs last September in a 20-year deal.—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2025
-
The photographer, quite understandably, sent me close-up images of the painting’s frontal surface, photographed from the right.—
Sarah K. Rich,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Most are due to unnecessary escalation, creating disengagement, authoritative behaviors, arrogance and ego.—
Joao Mendes-Roter,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Musk’s casual Friday attire just shows his arrogance and disrespect for American government.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Slumming with her sister in San Francisco after her life with her Madoff-like ex in New York implodes, Jasmine Francis isn't quite willing to let go of the affectations that come with living in high society.—
EW Staff,
EW.com,
2 Mar. 2025
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Unlike Chase, Aykroyd worked hard to retain Carter’s affectations and appearance, while also adding a slyness that implied a deeper calculation.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
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At that point, sunglasses lose their sine qua non purpose to protect our eyes, becoming a purely ornamental element capable of elevating an entire outfit.—
Teresa Romero Martínez,
Glamour,
22 Mar. 2025
-
The automation of jobs by AI could lead to widespread unemployment and economic inequality, leaving many people feeling powerless and without purpose.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Without a more concerted attempt to define and demonstrate ethical behavior, the romanticization of fintech’s alleged moral superiority is going to backfire.—
Ron Shevlin,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
-
The 1960s ushered in debates about the constitutionality of the federal death penalty, due, in part, to a postwar sense of moral superiority.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
29 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The Trump Administration has significantly weakened America's national security infrastructure under the false pretense of government efficiency, by reducing staffing at the Departments of Defense and State, FBI, CIA, USAID, and others despite increasing global threats.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
TIME,
24 Mar. 2025
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The Trump administration’s harrowing detention of Palestinian student activist Mahmoud Khalil — and the broader repression of student activism on campuses across the country — is being sold to the public under the false pretense of ensuring Jewish safety.—
Adam Jaffe,
New York Daily News,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
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One of his goals was to reach five innings in a start before his first regular-season start.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2025
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This has been one of the government’s central goals since early 2023.—
Gershom Gorenberg,
The Atlantic,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The first myth is that innovation hinges on a single monumental idea.—
Mark Nevins,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
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Paired with long white gloves and a ruby and diamond necklace, Marshall had a different idea for the gown's color than the version that made it into the film.—
Andrea Wurzburger,
People.com,
23 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretension. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
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