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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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

The plan sought to provide basic guarantees to secure African American voting rights, alleviate discrimination in voting, and prosecute lynch mobs.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 31 Oct. 2026
Tipp alleges Sanders and his representatives fraudulently induced him to surrender his rights through a retroactive work-for-hire agreement shortly after Sanders became CU’s head coach in December 2022.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of rights

Noun

Roger McQueen scored his first NHL goal and Cutter Gauthier ended his nine-game drought with two goals for the Ducks, who led 3-1 in the first period before getting blitzed 6-0 by Buffalo over the next 35 minutes.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
Gwath also spoke with athletic director DeWayne Peevy about the bigger-picture goals at DePaul, which has improved from three wins in 2023-24 — the season before Holtmann arrived — to 16-16 and 8-12 in the Big East last season.

— Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of goals

Noun

Bacelar disputed the accusations and said the lawsuit is filled with recycled claims that were previously litigated and dismissed.

— Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
In Frisco, Texas, opposition to Hindu temples and a mosque fueled claims of an Indian takeover, and a protester tore apart an Indian flag near City Hall.

— Raja Krishnamoorthi, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of claims

Noun

The benefit of being an official NFL partner is more for marketing purposes instead of anything that actually impacts lines.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Well, myself and the people in my office, but yes, for all intents and purposes, it has not been seen by anyone.

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of purposes

Noun

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
Conference expansion has shattered pretenses to regional coherence.

— Geraldo L. Cadava, The Atlantic, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of pretenses

Noun

Luigi Carbone, Pope Leo XIV's physician, said the pontiff's recovery from lung cancer surgery won't stop plans for a visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru involving a dozen flights and two helicopter rides to high altitudes.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
The company behind Claude AI announced plans to commit 5% of its shares to a new Anthropic Public Benefit Fund, subject to stockholder approval.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of plans

Noun

Depending on your tolerance for grand aims and liturgical self-seriousness, her latest album may strike you as extraordinary or unbearable.

— Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 28 Oct. 2026
Analysts voice skepticism that a new target list or more destruction will reverse the war allies’ failure to achieve their major aims.

— Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, 27 Oct. 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 1 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of pretensions

noun

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