Synonyms of pretensions

pretensions

noun

plural of pretension

1

as in rights

an entitlement to something

a pretension of long standing to the throne of Hungary

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rights
• claims
• pretenses
• titles
• calls
• prerogatives
• privileges
• dibs
• refusals
• birthrights
• favors

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• waivers
• releases
• disclaimers
• quitclaims

2

as in goals

something that one hopes or intends to accomplish

has serious pretensions of becoming a writer

Synonyms & Similar Words

• goals
• purposes
• ambitions
• plans
• aims
• intentions
• ideas
• objectives
• objects
• dreams
• aspirations
• things
• intents
• ideals
• meanings
• targets
• designs
• points
• marks
• ends
• hopes
• bournes
• projects
• desires
• wishes
• schemes
• minds
• plots
• holy grails
• destinations
• grails
• nirvanas
• termini

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• means
• methods
• ways

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of pretensions

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

Adley and his team make great tasting plates first and foremost, but some of the items, like the unmissable chicken wings stuffed with boudin blanc and romesco, act as a cheeky affront to haute cuisine’s pretensions and conventions. — Colin Wrenn, Denver Post, 3 June 2026