1
as in unaffected
free from any intent to deceive or impress others
a simple and unpretentious account about growing up in the rural South
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in quiet
not excessively showy
lives in a rather unpretentious house for someone so wealthy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in humble
not having or showing any feelings of superiority, self-assertiveness, or showiness
the unpretentious disposition of an award-winning scientist who has nothing to prove to anyone
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unpretentious
There are many earnest, unpretentious reasons to be a regular reader, from stepping into someone else’s shoes to escaping from the stress of day-to-day life.
—
Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025
Reaches out to underserved children The club, tucked behind Parrot Jungle, is known for its friendly, unpretentious spirit, commitment to community service and goal to educate youth and adults about recreational and competitive sailing.
—Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 29 July 2025
Catalina Island Best for: an accessible, unpretentious, car-free getaway
Warm and sunny, with a small town built into the hills around a palm tree–lined seafront that overlooks a sleepy harbor, Catalina Island evokes any number of spots on the Italian—or French—Riviera.
—Tim Chester, AFAR Media, 29 July 2025
In 1985, at the age of 27, Meyer opened his first business: Union Square Cafe, a modern American restaurant which blends upscale dining with unpretentious warmth and hospitality.
—Martina Di Licosa, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unpretentious
Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025
Reaches out to underserved children The club, tucked behind Parrot Jungle, is known for its friendly, unpretentious spirit, commitment to community service and goal to educate youth and adults about recreational and competitive sailing.
—Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 29 July 2025
Catalina Island Best for: an accessible, unpretentious, car-free getaway
Warm and sunny, with a small town built into the hills around a palm tree–lined seafront that overlooks a sleepy harbor, Catalina Island evokes any number of spots on the Italian—or French—Riviera.
—Tim Chester, AFAR Media, 29 July 2025
In 1985, at the age of 27, Meyer opened his first business: Union Square Cafe, a modern American restaurant which blends upscale dining with unpretentious warmth and hospitality.
—Martina Di Licosa, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unpretentious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unpretentious
Adjective
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Thirty to 100 percent increases are being asked for apartments built since 1947 and therefore unaffected by rent-control laws.—
Nicholas Pileggi,
Curbed,
15 Aug. 2025
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Some of the areas most closely watched for tariff impact nationwide were largely unaffected.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The same quiet consensus building once hailed as an effective hallmark of her leadership is being challenged in new ways by interpersonal conflicts on City Council and critics who want bolder leadership.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Aug. 2025
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Thessaloniki, however, pulses with spice-laden markets, waterfront cafés, and Byzantine mosaics tucked into quiet chapels.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The film stars Mark Feuerstein as Rabbi Mo, a humble leader in a high-desert Jewish community who is thrust into the role of reluctant warrior after a violent attack shakes his world.—
Eric E. Harrison,
Arkansas Online,
14 Aug. 2025
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The rookie apologized to his father, Deion Sanders, and even offered some humble remarks on his outing.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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By avoiding these five common pitfalls, businesses can transform their customer data from a costly liability into a genuine competitive advantage that drives measurable growth and innovation.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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That’s not the start of a bad joke, but a genuine potential answer to this question.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Here, contemporary design prevails–muted tones, clean lines, and a focus on natural Scottish wellness.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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The immediate effect of rescheduling on the nation’s criminal justice system would also likely be more muted, since federal prosecutions for simple possession have been fairly rare in recent years.—
Addy Bink,
The Hill,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Subsequently, Pakistan also bargained down the new American tariffs on its goods from 29% to 19% — relatively meek next to India’s rate.—
Andreas Kluth,
Mercury News,
14 Aug. 2025
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That 19% share is meek compared with where U.S. investors are most intensely busy – in states with small populations and tourism hooks.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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The recycled leather lanyard adds to its convenience and simple, timeless style.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
16 Aug. 2025
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But it was intended to be a simple, three-course meal, the documents showed.—
Chiara Eisner,
NPR,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The bank also published a subdued note from chief economist Jan Hatzius that forecast U.S. GDP growth would be only 1% in the second half of the year.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
4 Aug. 2025
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Over the past three months, Trump has been engaged in multiple rounds of saber-rattling and often intense negotiations with U.S. trading partners that have jangled nerves but nonetheless coincided with a subdued but solid pace of economic growth.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unpretentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unpretentious. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
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