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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pretentious
Kirk Lazarus is a prestigious, pretentious actor who decides to go full method — to put it mildly — in portraying a Black soldier.
—
Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 16 Aug. 2025
They’re much better made, more literate, more economical, more efficient, more interested in just telling a story and not being pretentious.
—John Bleasdale, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025
Though Dirty Dom’s in-ring debut began in 2020, the pretentious son of Rey Mysterio Jr. inherited his slick ways from iconic WWE superstar Eddie Guerrero.
—Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 7 Aug. 2025
Democratic strategist James Carville scolded his party for being pretentious and out of touch with large segments of the population, including young men.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretentious
Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 16 Aug. 2025
They’re much better made, more literate, more economical, more efficient, more interested in just telling a story and not being pretentious.
—John Bleasdale, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025
Though Dirty Dom’s in-ring debut began in 2020, the pretentious son of Rey Mysterio Jr. inherited his slick ways from iconic WWE superstar Eddie Guerrero.
—Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 7 Aug. 2025
Democratic strategist James Carville scolded his party for being pretentious and out of touch with large segments of the population, including young men.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretentious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretentious
Adjective
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Zane played the arrogant Cal Hockley, who was engaged to Jack's love interest, Rose (played by Kate Winslet).—
Virginia Chamlee,
People.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Hardly seems like enough to cow these arrogant companies into behaving, especially when their business model is so intrinsically tied to hoovering up other people’s information and creative work.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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While The Morning Show presents the news business as glossy and glamorous (and often a little pompous), The Paper takes the opposite view with the documentary crew from The Office now focusing on a dying newspaper in Ohio.—
Emma Alpern,
Vulture,
11 Sep. 2025
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Guigal’s strategy isn’t built on pompous conservatism, but in long-term thinking.—
Paul Caputo,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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During its heyday, the light yellow was warming, but not as potentially ostentatious as gold.—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Lamborghinis ostentatious, Corvettes simplistic, BMWs arrogant.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Positive feedback enhanced their feelings of uniqueness (a key aspect of grandiose narcissism).—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
18 Sep. 2025
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If the Coliseum does become a regular ground for cricket, grandiose plans are envisioned.—
Tristan Lavalette,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Advertisement Not that the show is entirely, or even predominantly, a work of high-minded political critique.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
19 Sep. 2025
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The key question: Is this all high-minded political talk from people who will be gone when Mandarin becomes the lingua franca on the Moon?—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Hilaria Baldwin and Gleb Savchenko showed off their Cha Cha skills loud and proud tonight!—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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The best people aren’t too proud to prove themselves on the ground.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretentious. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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