1
as in rights
an entitlement to something
a pretension of long standing to the throne of Hungary
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in goals
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 pretensions
Spiegelman uses the term micro-looting, dressing up petty theft in political pretensions.
—
Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
Traditionally, Oscars hosts have been at their best when puncturing the pretensions of the stars in attendance, but for the most part, host Conan O’Brien bought into their sense of their own righteousness.
—Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
By the early 1950s, many clerics had come to see the Pahlavi monarchy, for all its secular pretensions, as a manageable partner.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
The war with Ukraine has revealed the yawning gap between Russia’s pretensions and its capabilities.
—George F. Will, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2026
With his dweeby air, pretensions and position at the helm of an active production, Arthur is the Liz Lemon of this setup, but with the emphases reversed.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 23 Feb. 2026
The nation was to be purged of continual sin not indeed all of its own doing—due partly to its inheritance; and yet a sin, a negation that gave the world the right to sneer at the pretensions of this republic.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
This action comedy is audacious in portraying the pretensions of show business.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Jan. 2026
The pilot isn’t quite sure what makes Arthur funny, alternating between jokes about his artistic pretensions and his extreme whiteness.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 18 Jan. 2026
Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
Traditionally, Oscars hosts have been at their best when puncturing the pretensions of the stars in attendance, but for the most part, host Conan O’Brien bought into their sense of their own righteousness.
—Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
By the early 1950s, many clerics had come to see the Pahlavi monarchy, for all its secular pretensions, as a manageable partner.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
The war with Ukraine has revealed the yawning gap between Russia’s pretensions and its capabilities.
—George F. Will, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2026
With his dweeby air, pretensions and position at the helm of an active production, Arthur is the Liz Lemon of this setup, but with the emphases reversed.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 23 Feb. 2026
The nation was to be purged of continual sin not indeed all of its own doing—due partly to its inheritance; and yet a sin, a negation that gave the world the right to sneer at the pretensions of this republic.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
This action comedy is audacious in portraying the pretensions of show business.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Jan. 2026
The pilot isn’t quite sure what makes Arthur funny, alternating between jokes about his artistic pretensions and his extreme whiteness.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 18 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretensions
Noun
-
This is the first year of the league’s new 11-year, $77 billion media rights deal with the three networks.—
Mike Prada,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
Preborn children are human beings with inherent rights, dignity and worth that no contract should supersede.—
Kimberly Bird,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Savings goals – Emergency fund, retirement, or a cushion for repairs.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
19 May 2026
-
Higher output at sea The findings arrive as governments worldwide intensify efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions and expand renewable energy generation in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Nick Tsafos, partner-in-charge at EisnerAmper in New York, said lenders need to independently assess collateral, claims and risks across the full life of a loan, rather than relying solely on borrower representations.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
-
One trust would collect money from the church, parishes, schools and insurance settlements to compensate survivors, while the second trust would manage litigation and insurance claims against insurers that did not settle.—
Bridget Byrne,
Baltimore Sun,
17 May 2026
Noun
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Iran, which says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, was said to have included some nuclear concessions in its latest proposal to end the war.—
Michelle L. Price,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
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For many people, getting life insurance or disability insurance would serve similar purposes while offering greater flexibility.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
In the documentary, a man running the shelter, who identified himself as Charles Lubajja, tells the undercover reporters that the shelter exists primarily to make money from social media users abroad under false pretenses.—
Christopher Edwards,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
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In the movie, members of the narcotics unit face suspicion for allegedly stealing some of the money under false pretenses and for their own benefit.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
The brutal wipeout required more than 100 stitches — and tentatively ended Johnson’s professional surfing ambitions.—
Antonio Ferme,
Variety,
15 May 2026
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The issues holding up negotiations between the two sides include Iran’s nuclear ambitions and its control of the Hormuz.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Last month, Will County Board members approved Earthrise Energy’s plans for a 2,400-acre solar farm near Crete.—
Alicia Fabbre,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
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Citing statements from jurors and a county clerk who aided Hill, Murdaugh's lawyers say Hill urged jurors not to be confused by Murdaugh's defense tactics and to watch his body language — and that she was motivated by plans to publish a book about the case.—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
13 May 2026
Noun
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As part of the hotel’s social-impact aims, the rattan icebox and garbage bins were crafted by Burmese artisans who work with Kalinko, a social enterprise that creates handmade, sustainable products using traditional techniques.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
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In practice, that responsibility often extends beyond investment selection to include planning, coordination, behavioral coaching, and helping individuals make financial decisions within the context of their broader aims and lives.—
Wes Moss,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pretensions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretensions. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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