PRE-TENSIONS Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

pretensions

noun

plural of pretension

as in rights

an entitlement to something a pretension of long standing to the throne of Hungary

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in goals

something that one hopes or intends to accomplish has serious pretensions of becoming a writer

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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 pretensions 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 Their trading volume, political influence and public profiles have expanded — as have their pretensions. — W. Joseph Campbell, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026 Anyone can join this adventure, this surge of solidarity through collective prayer for our world, to put a stop to all the pretensions of evil. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Sep. 2026 Martin insisted that it could be done without schmaltz, but the singer was wary of wrecking their reputation with classical pretensions. — Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026 The genre, with its sanitized storylines and Oscar-baiting pretensions, seems fundamentally at odds with the iconoclastic chef and television personality. — Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026 Like Paul Schrader’s 1982 version of the latter, this is an upscale genre piece whose pretensions towards Art are upfront, starting with a quotation from no less than Schopenhauer. — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 30 July 2026 At 61, unaligned to any party faction and with no pretensions to the highest office, the Scot would represent little threat to Burnham. — Ian King, CNBC, 15 July 2026 The British journalist Malcolm Muggeridge, who converted to Christianity late in his life, pointed out that Jesus’s entire ministry was directed against the pretensions of earthly power. — Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretensions

Noun

Under the settlement, Keller gains contractual rights to enforce certain noise, screening, and operational requirements at the site, even though the property is outside Keller city limits.

— Doug Myers, CBS News, 13 Nov. 2026
The new membership category, created in October, is non-voting, meaning members receive full golf privileges but do not have voting rights at the club.

— Luisa Yanez, Miami Herald, 13 Nov. 2026

Definition of rights

Noun

Archway Communities operates affordable housing across the Front Range, where residents can afford to live and pursue their goals.

— Anna Alejo, CBS News, 13 Nov. 2026
Kushner said one of the goals of the meeting with Putin was to get the Russian leader's blessing for European representatives to be part of the talks, which are looking at the continent's broader security arrangements.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Nov. 2026

Definition of goals

Noun

Even so, the administration quickly pivoted, filing a brief in a related case that also made claims that California’s voter rolls contained noncitizens who voted illegally.

— Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 10 Nov. 2026
Philadelphia police were called to investigate child abuse claims made against Carprice Williams, the foster mother charged with killing 10-year-old Malayshia Alford, in 2021, sources said.

— Joe Holden, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of claims

Noun

The need for such spacecraft will likely rise substantially in the future, as companies assemble giant megaconstellations for cell-phone communications, AI compute and other purposes.

— Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 10 Nov. 2026
The measure would have required a two-thirds majority to approve new or extended local taxes dedicated to specific purposes.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of purposes

Noun

Acting on flimsy pretenses, Bianco arranged in February for the seizure of hundreds of thousands of Proposition 50 ballots, questioning the integrity of the election months after the fact.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
Shirley has since visited other states in the US under similar pretenses, showing up unannounced to grocery stores and hospice centers in search of evidence of fraud.

— Mia Sato, The Verge, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of pretenses

Noun

But Moscow, Beijing and Washington already know their leaders are arriving at the Shenzhen conference with disparate aims.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2026
But the conflict has forced him to craft a response that combines a strategic pivot, reassurance to local staff and foreign partners, and continued commitment to his city’s long-term aims.

— Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 13 Nov. 2026

Definition of aims

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pretension

pretensions

pretentious

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“Pretensions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretensions. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of pretensions

noun

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