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
The story is said to explore themes of love, jealousy, ambition and pretension.
—
Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2025
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
Pasta lovers, diners craving a lack of pretension in Wynwood
What to order: Like its straightforward name suggests, the star here is homemade pasta in various simple but delectable forms.
—Constance Ogle, Miami Herald, 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
See All Example Sentences for pretension
Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2025
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
Pasta lovers, diners craving a lack of pretension in Wynwood
What to order: Like its straightforward name suggests, the star here is homemade pasta in various simple but delectable forms.
—Constance Ogle, Miami Herald, 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
See All Example Sentences for pretension
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretension
Noun
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Iran has executed a man accused of spying for Israel, Iranian state media reported, after the rights group Amnesty International said the man, Babak Shahbazi, had been sentenced to death in an unfair trial marred by allegations of torture.—
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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The attorney general faced immense backlash from the left and the right over her comments, prompting her to clarify the remarks, which were widely interpreted as calling for unlawful prosecutions, on Tuesday morning.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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All of these terms are used interchangeably to refer to projecting quiet confidence without arrogance.—
Melody Wilding,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The Democratic Party is in shambles because it has become consumed by leadership that wants to have cerebral debates over abstract concepts, and the Republican Party brand, vis-à-vis its own leadership, fails to appeal to greater masses because of its fascination with uninformed arrogance.—
Fabian Naranjo Gonzalez,
Oc Register,
16 Sep. 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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Someday, yes, but not conventionally now (there are efforts underway to devise specialized LLMs that can achieve those ends, built for that vaunted purpose).—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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Since late last year, China has ramped up its restrictions on exports of rare earths, even demanding proof that they will not be used for military purposes.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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With over 600 DEXs now operating according to Grvt’s estimates, pure technological superiority or lower fees no longer guarantee success.—
Boaz Sobrado,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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Not to mention the moral superiority gap it’s widened in conversations between the thin and the not thin enough.—
Allison Lax,
Glamour,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Harold is so clearly not a great man that his pretenses feel more like cries for help.—
Jeremy Gordon,
The Atlantic,
12 Sep. 2025
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Trump’s decision to resurrect the name Department of War strips away that pretense.—
Tom Debley,
Mercury News,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The primary goal of these UBI pilots is to help individuals and families through a transition period.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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Success comes from choosing intentionally based on individual goals, financial circumstances, and career objectives rather than following outdated assumptions about what career preparation requires.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
17 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 21 Sep. 2025.
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