pretension

1 of 2

noun

pre·​ten·​sion pri-ˈten(t)-shən 

1

: an allegation of doubtful value : pretext

2

: a claim or an effort to establish a claim

3

: a claim or right to attention or honor because of merit

4

: an aspiration or intention that may or may not reach fulfillment

has serious literary pretensions

5

: vanity, pretentiousness

pretensionless

pri-ˈten(t)-shən-ləs 

adjective

pretension

2 of 2

verb

pre·​ten·​sion ˌprē-ˈten(t)-shən 

pretensioned; pretensioning; pretensions

transitive verb

: prestress

Synonyms of pretension

Noun

• right
• claim
• pretense

Choose the Right Synonym for pretension

ambition, aspiration, pretension mean strong desire for advancement.

ambition applies to the desire for personal advancement or preferment and may suggest equally a praiseworthy or an inordinate desire.

driven by ambition

aspiration implies a striving after something higher than oneself.

an aspiration to become president someday

pretension suggests ardent desire for recognition of accomplishment often without actual possession of the necessary ability and therefore may imply presumption.

has literary pretensions

Examples of pretension in a Sentence

Noun

He spoke about his achievements without pretension.

I admire his honesty and lack of pretension.

The restaurant offers excellent food without pretension.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The author behind the singular Elizabeth Zott returns with ‘Peck & Peck,’ a sharp, charming satire on the pretensions and perils of literary gatekeepers. — Leigh Haber, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Despite the proximity to downtown and guest rooms brimming with the latest and greatest technology, there’s zero pretension here. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026

The film, which world premiered at the Berlinale, turns artistic pretension, female friendship and domestic chaos into a comic ensemble piece. — Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026

Their trading volume, political influence and public profiles have expanded — as have their pretensions. — W. Joseph Campbell, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Late Latin praetensiōn-, praetensiō "action of pretending, deceiving" (Medieval Latin, "allegation, assertion"), from Latin praetendere "to hold or stretch out, put forward as a pretext" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at pretend entry 1

Verb

pre- + tension entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1936, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pretension

• attention
• contention
• convention
• declension
• detention
• dimension
• dissension
• distension
• extension
• intension
• invention
• laurentian

Kids Definition

pretension

noun

pre·​ten·​sion

pri-ˈten-chən

1

: pretense sense 1

2

: something one hopes to reach : aspiration, ambition

has serious pretensions as a writer

3

: pretense sense 2