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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pretentious
While the craft cocktails of her new bar, Something Good, are inventive, the vibes are anything but pretentious.
—
Kansas City Star, 17 July 2025
Though there are only 12 seatings per night, the ambiance is relaxed and intimate, not pretentious.
—Nina Ruggiero, Travel + Leisure, 21 May 2025
Despite the cool design vibe here, there’s nothing pretentious about Ammos Hotel, which is ultimately a family hotel with a friendly atmosphere– evidenced by its most beloved employee: a Boston Terrier named Jonny.
—Monica Mendal, Vogue, 15 July 2025
Even when Season Three felt meandering or pretentious, the vibe set by the music and the production design never faltered.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretentious
Kansas City Star, 17 July 2025
Though there are only 12 seatings per night, the ambiance is relaxed and intimate, not pretentious.
—Nina Ruggiero, Travel + Leisure, 21 May 2025
Despite the cool design vibe here, there’s nothing pretentious about Ammos Hotel, which is ultimately a family hotel with a friendly atmosphere– evidenced by its most beloved employee: a Boston Terrier named Jonny.
—Monica Mendal, Vogue, 15 July 2025
Even when Season Three felt meandering or pretentious, the vibe set by the music and the production design never faltered.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretentious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretentious
Adjective
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But this act of arrogant bullying should also re-kindle the spirit of hope and unity that swept through this community in the aftermath of that horrible night in 2016, that still binds Orlando in its 150th anniversary year.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Aug. 2025
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Harry Potter fans might recognize Stroma for playing the arrogant Hogwarts student named Cormac McLaggen in the film franchise.—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Over two films, Reed faced off against Victor, the pompous and vengeful CEO of Von Doom Industries.—
Derek Lawrence,
Vulture,
30 July 2025
-
Jamie Demetriou, best known for his memorable performances in Fleabag and Stath Lets Flats, has been cast as the pompous and self-important distant relative who intends to marry one of the Bennet girls.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
30 July 2025
Adjective
-
London’s theft of a horse became part of a larger narrative of being flashy, ostentatious, too smart for his own good.—
Bitter Kalli
August 19,
Literary Hub,
19 Aug. 2025
-
The affair led to two marriages for the couple, 11 films, and an ostentatious jet-setting lifestyle that involved furs, jewelry, yachts, and glamorous travel.—
Maureen Lee Lenker Published,
EW.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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There are signs in the rhetoric of both Trump and Putin of such grandiose imperial impulses.—
Ronald Suny,
The Conversation,
19 Aug. 2025
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That fight doesn’t require grandiose ideologies or MAGA slogans.—
Y. David Scharf,
New York Daily News,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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That means pausing California’s high-minded independent commission that has, admirably, drawn congressional boundaries in a non-partisan way since 2010.—
Mercury News Editorial,
Mercury News,
15 Aug. 2025
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These kinds of high-minded decisions are just too abstract when terrible things are happening so fast.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Next time, put your phone away, watch, and be proud.—
Janine Clements,
Miami Herald,
19 Aug. 2025
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This is a proud program with a history of success, but Southern Miss has fallen on hard times, with four losing records in the last five seasons.—
Antonio Morales,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretentious. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
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