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
Such pretensions on the part of the mega-rich aren’t new; Lowell reminds us of that.
—
Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
New Yorkers particularly resent Washington’s pretensions.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 12 Aug. 2025
Each space differs, but the owners and creators prioritize community and inclusivity over exclusivity and pretension.
—Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025
Pasta lovers, diners craving a lack of pretension in Wynwood
What to order: Like its straightforward name suggests, the star here is homemade pasta in various simple but delectable forms.
—Constance Ogle, Miami Herald, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretension
Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
New Yorkers particularly resent Washington’s pretensions.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 12 Aug. 2025
Each space differs, but the owners and creators prioritize community and inclusivity over exclusivity and pretension.
—Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025
Pasta lovers, diners craving a lack of pretension in Wynwood
What to order: Like its straightforward name suggests, the star here is homemade pasta in various simple but delectable forms.
—Constance Ogle, Miami Herald, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretension
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretension
Noun
-
But the appeals court mandate would mean first-time DACA applicants in Texas would not have the right to work, and existing DACA recipients who are working could lose their ability to do so.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Oct. 2025
-
However, the rights that these certificates grant are not equal to the rights afforded to straight couples.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Professional arrogance, that is, that pushed Atkinson to exceed everybody’s expectations … except his own.—
Aaron Portzline,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
-
True to his overconfidence-bordering-on-arrogance nature, new intern Wes earlier in the episode did not follow instructions and attended to patients without permission.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But Lloyd’s awkward staging here and questionable affectations (including an audience clap-along) makes Pozzo’s relationship with Lucky unfocused and puzzling.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
29 Sep. 2025
-
The band sets aside the winks and retro affectations for something unadorned and honest.—
Sarah Grant,
Rolling Stone,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
And a lot of the pseudepigrapha, like the fake gospels and fake apocalypses, fill in gaps in the record that can serve latter-day, post-biblical purposes.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
16 Oct. 2025
-
This particular challenge serves many purposes.—
Joe Boylan,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The United States maintains overwhelming technological superiority but with increasingly unpredictable commitments.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
-
By dispelling the myth of SPS superiority, this study opens the door to more flexible and cost-effective production strategies, accelerating the path toward safer, high-performance solid-state batteries, according to the study.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Under this pretense, wearing a MAGA hat in a Google office or entertaining eugenicist ideas about race and intelligence was a way of daring to go where liberals feared to tread.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Under the pretense of a back-to-school rules review, the sophomore through senior classes at Ruskin were treated to a stirring drumline performance before a shocked Sixta took the the stage.—
Ilana Arougheti
Updated October 7,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Officials at the Water Reclamation Authority are pursuing new goals after the utility was officially released last year from a pair of longstanding legal agreements that required the utility to address sewer overflows, leading to major investments across the system.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Oct. 2025
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Before the judges revealed their scores, Leavitt told cohost Julianne Hough that her sole goal in week 6 was to redeem her week 5 stumble during a soulful contemporary routine dedicated to her husband.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Bank of America reiterates Nvidia and Broadcom as buy Bank of America says the stocks remain favorite ideas at the firm.—
Michael Bloom,
CNBC,
20 Oct. 2025
-
It’s not presented as an idea because of how we were raised.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretension. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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