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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pretension
There were no pretensions of showmanship, no displays of braggadocio — just the hollow ringing of palms on goatskin.
—
Taran Dugal, Rolling Stone, 16 Dec. 2024
The restaurant's elegant interior, with its high ceilings and classic décor, creates an atmosphere of refined sophistication without pretension—the ideal setting to contemplate the driving adventures that await.
—Shelby Knick, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Instead of Jimmy Kimmel, a memorable host in the recent past with a keen appreciation for puncturing pretensions, there is Conan O’Brien who, while familiar, remains an unknown quantity in how politically barbed his opening monologue might be.
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 25 Feb. 2025
Harrington recently appeared on the Cookie Jar Golf podcast and opened up about how the then-21-year-old McIlroy shattered his pretensions as a heavy favorite to win the title.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretension
Taran Dugal, Rolling Stone, 16 Dec. 2024
The restaurant's elegant interior, with its high ceilings and classic décor, creates an atmosphere of refined sophistication without pretension—the ideal setting to contemplate the driving adventures that await.
—Shelby Knick, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Instead of Jimmy Kimmel, a memorable host in the recent past with a keen appreciation for puncturing pretensions, there is Conan O’Brien who, while familiar, remains an unknown quantity in how politically barbed his opening monologue might be.
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 25 Feb. 2025
Harrington recently appeared on the Cookie Jar Golf podcast and opened up about how the then-21-year-old McIlroy shattered his pretensions as a heavy favorite to win the title.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretension
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretension
Noun
-
With its conservative bent, Fox News thrives with its opinion hosts, but it also is distinguished from rivals on the right with its news operation.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
5 May 2025
-
This ruling affirms core constitutional freedoms all Americans hold dear, including free speech, due process, and the right to select counsel without the fear of retribution.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
3 May 2025
Noun
-
The arrogance of economics and its myriad equations, charts and numbers is astounding.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Others were negative traits to avoid, like irritability, arrogance, and combativeness.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Ivy-as-Marilyn is an inconsiderate, amphetamine guzzling faux-intellectual whose devotion to the acting craft is presented as a vainglorious affectation.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2025
-
The interaction between Briony and Jamie starts off amiably, with Jamie needling Briony for her posh affectations.—
Doreen St. Félix,
The New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
His purpose was to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the genocide and advocate for the release of 23 hostages detained in Azerbaijan.—
Ralphie Aversa,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
-
Nothing quite represents a club’s identity like the crest; that is its purpose by definition.—
Harry De Cosemo,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
Murrow worked on Adlai Stevenson’s presidential campaign while at CBS, excusing his partiality as moral and intellectual superiority.—
Armond White,
National Review,
30 Apr. 2025
-
The three fundamental pillars of relative superiority are: • It is achieved at the pivotal moment of an engagement.—
Chris Harris,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Although algorithmic favoritism had long been suspected across platforms, Musk’s unapologetic approach dispensed with the pretense of neutrality that tech companies had carefully maintained.—
Jackie Snow,
Quartz,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Black and brown Californians angered at attempts to erase history, legacy and achievement under pretense of eliminating diversity and equity initiatives.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
But the city plans instead to spend $83 million — less than one-third of the goal, and sharply down from the roughly $140 million spent last fiscal year and also budgeted for this year.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 May 2025
-
The Lyon goal should rightly rectify his legacy at United and hopefully earn him the respect from those outside of the club who have often so unfairly chided and ridiculed him.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
Mark Gurman, in his Power On newsletter from April 27, had his own idea, and commented on the naming change.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
-
Down a long hall is the Youth Leadership Council, a plenary of teens who brainstorm ideas for these Wednesday gatherings.—
Paul Solotaroff,
Rolling Stone,
11 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretension. Accessed 14 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share