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
The result is a unique brand of luxury that is warm, welcoming, and intentional—not pretentious.
—
Nina Ruggiero, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2026
Jonathan’s making pretentious anti-capitalist films at NYU.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 1 Jan. 2026
The conversation has turned almost reverential, sometimes even a bit pretentious.
—Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 31 Dec. 2025
And for those who might still view fashion as pretentious without humor?
—Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretentious
Nina Ruggiero, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2026
Jonathan’s making pretentious anti-capitalist films at NYU.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 1 Jan. 2026
The conversation has turned almost reverential, sometimes even a bit pretentious.
—Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 31 Dec. 2025
And for those who might still view fashion as pretentious without humor?
—Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretentious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretentious
Adjective
-
He is paired with an arrogant young partner (Lou), a second-generation political scion whose personality clashes sharply with his own.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
29 Jan. 2026
-
In the early years of his fame as a writer, Rushdie had something of a reputation for being prickly and arrogant, but Gibney’s portrait reveals a man mellowed by time and experience.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
When a pompous male customer refused to be waited on by a female server, Bass quietly approached the table.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
1 Feb. 2026
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Jeffrey Tambor Known for playing the pompous, self-important mayor of Whoville, Jeffery Tambor also has an esteemed career across television and film.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
The guests here are affluent but not ostentatious; their demeanor and dress are relaxed.—
Megan Spurrell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The show’s beating heart is Cumming, who peacocks across the Scottish Highlands in ostentatious costumes while delivering one game show twist after the next.—
Jonathan Borge,
InStyle,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
There was no grandiose plan, but that’s what Jimmy and I knew.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
7 Feb. 2026
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But their rise has also attracted a slew of criticism, fueled in recent decades by the grandiose lifestyles and criminal convictions of some godmen.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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But there’s a throughline in Smith’s most popular works — he’s been cast repeatedly as a villain, and usually an arrogant or smug one.—
Sophia Solano,
Washington Post,
7 Feb. 2026
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But that poem is no smug cliché.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Playing in this year's Super Bowl was Rockwall legend Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and the Rockwall community couldn't be prouder of him, holding a watch party in his honor.—
Briseida Holguin,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
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The Patriots’ defense, however, should stand proud after Sunday’s contest.—
Doug Kyed,
Hartford Courant,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The opera offers a look at how the Civil War ended with high-minded statesmanship.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
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Was the thinking behind the decision so high-minded, though, back in 1890?—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pretentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretentious. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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