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
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Recent Examples of pretension
Many of the early bands’ sound had a preciseness to it and a simultaneous lack of pretension.
—
Nate Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
With notes and descriptions similar to the pretension of fine wine, luxury brands take fragrance very seriously.
—Tanya Akim, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Nothing will knock the pretension out of you faster than having to go cover the sewage board hearing and having to type the school lunch menus.
—Samantha Dunn, Oc Register, 11 Apr. 2025
Boasting fresh sea air, healing waters and inspiring natural light, this area of the country offers a unique opportunity to experience luxury the Danish way: without pretension, surrounded by nature and the highest quality art, food and design.
—Lois Alter Mark, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretension
Nate Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
With notes and descriptions similar to the pretension of fine wine, luxury brands take fragrance very seriously.
—Tanya Akim, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Nothing will knock the pretension out of you faster than having to go cover the sewage board hearing and having to type the school lunch menus.
—Samantha Dunn, Oc Register, 11 Apr. 2025
Boasting fresh sea air, healing waters and inspiring natural light, this area of the country offers a unique opportunity to experience luxury the Danish way: without pretension, surrounded by nature and the highest quality art, food and design.
—Lois Alter Mark, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretension
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretension
Noun
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The swap rights, in particular, offer flexibility without surrendering outright picks—think of them as tools to grease the wheels without giving away the farm.—
Brian Sampson,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
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Another unanswered question from Monday’s announcement is whether part of the rights fees would need to be reinvested in streaming capabilities.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 June 2025
Noun
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This silliness, the silliness of his arrogance, was actually funny to me.—
Ottessa Moshfegh,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
-
On the dark side, however, Mercury in Leo can spark moments of arrogance and stubbornness.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
26 June 2025
Noun
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From our review: Tessa Van den Broeck, a newcomer, plays Julie with zero affectation.—
The New York Times,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
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No fussy affectations, just a deliberate tamping down of his more charismatic qualities.—
A.A. Dowd,
Rolling Stone,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Ibogaine is a psychoactive compound from the root bark of a West African shrub and has been used by Indigenous people for medical and spiritual purposes for hundreds of years.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2025
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Users can examine the prompts and the chats that made those examples possible and even modify them for their own purposes.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
26 June 2025
Noun
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Yet as more data has emerged demonstrating the safety or even superiority of AI for some tasks, those views are likely changing.—
Jesse Pines,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Red Bull enjoyed a period of superiority since the inception of the current ground effect era in 2022, thanks to the aerodynamic expertise of the team's former chief technical officer, Adrian Newey.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
Noun
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The federal indictment alleges that Combs and his associates lured two of the women under the pretense of a romantic relationship.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2025
-
Theft by false pretenses: A Saratoga resident said someone convinced them to sign a property deed in lieu of foreclosure to avoid filing for bankruptcy.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
27 June 2025
Noun
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After being shut out in the group stage opener, Man City's superstar Erling Haaland has caught fire, scoring a goal in each of their past two matches.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 July 2025
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Salsbury insists the goal is never to take over but to free them up.—
Rhiannon Frater,
USA Today,
30 June 2025
Noun
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If your idea of a good country getaway requires a stop by an antique mall, then add the Blue Moon Antique Mall and Bookstore to your list.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
28 June 2025
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This fictional speech offers concrete policy ideas for reducing the deficit, generating new revenue and increasing government efficiency.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretension. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
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