1
as in right
an entitlement to something
a pretension of long standing to the throne of Hungary
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pretension
There’s no phoniness, no pretension.
—
Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
The house did not have a European or East Coast seriousness, but rather a Californian dimension rooted in casualness, improvisation, and lack of pretension.
—Rem Koolhaas, Artforum, 26 Mar. 2026
Traditionally, Oscars hosts have been at their best when puncturing the pretensions of the stars in attendance, but for the most part, host Conan O’Brien bought into their sense of their own righteousness.
—Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
By the early 1950s, many clerics had come to see the Pahlavi monarchy, for all its secular pretensions, as a manageable partner.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pretension
Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
The house did not have a European or East Coast seriousness, but rather a Californian dimension rooted in casualness, improvisation, and lack of pretension.
—Rem Koolhaas, Artforum, 26 Mar. 2026
Traditionally, Oscars hosts have been at their best when puncturing the pretensions of the stars in attendance, but for the most part, host Conan O’Brien bought into their sense of their own righteousness.
—Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
By the early 1950s, many clerics had come to see the Pahlavi monarchy, for all its secular pretensions, as a manageable partner.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pretension
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretension
Noun
-
For schoolteachers, this is worse than whiplash, because there’s a crucial difference between the American-history-is-all-bad or -all-good preferences of the left or the right.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
-
The Supreme Court has long held that the right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children is among the oldest and most fundamental liberty interests protected by the Constitution.—
James R Mason,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
In the book, Caputo’s initial pride and arrogance soon give way to a more contemplative spirit, followed by degeneration.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
That’s where arrogance becomes a liability.—
Linh Tat,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
The elder Taylor exuded the easy-going charm of a music legend who is free of any airs or affectations.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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Slumming with her sister in San Francisco after her life with her Madoff-like ex in New York implodes, Jasmine Francis isn't quite willing to let go of the affectations that come with living in high society.—
Darren Franich,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
For all intents and purposes, the bulk of the offseason acquisition for the Dallas Cowboys is wrapped up.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 May 2026
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The board’s ouster comes amid a purge of independent scientific and research groups whose purpose is to advise the federal government’s science and health policies.—
Dan Vergano,
Scientific American,
11 May 2026
Noun
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Those arguments will also weigh a claim from the ACLU that the map includes a crucial error that placed more than 870 Kansas City residents in two separate districts at the same time.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
10 May 2026
-
Russia dismisses such claims as nonsense.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Protecting the sense of superiority of white passengers was the top priority.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
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If the industry collapses, no individual company’s superiority matters.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
On the day of Lincoln’s election, the Wide Awakes patrolled polling places under the pretense of protecting democracy, while opponents viewed it as voter intimidation.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Authorities said the gun had been purchased under false pretenses in Indiana.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Brown said the goal is to modernize the building.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
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Their goal was to boost inbound travel, especially among the domestic market, and Nuo specializes in that, although there are plenty of foreign guests here, too.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pretension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretension. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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