Thesaurus

pretension

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of pretension

1 an entitlement to something

a pretension of long standing to the throne of Hungary

Synonyms of pretension

call, claim, dibs, pretense (or pretence), right

Words Related to pretension

birthright, prerogative, title

favor, privilege

Near Antonyms of pretension

disclaimer, quitclaim, release, waiver

2 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 of pretension

arrogance, assumption, bumptiousness, consequence, haughtiness, hauteur, high horse, huffiness, imperiousness, loftiness, lordliness, masterfulness, peremptoriness, pomposity, pompousness, presumptuousness, pretense (or pretence), pretentiousness, self-consequence, self-importance, superciliousness, superiority, toploftiness

Words Related to pretension

authoritativeness, bossiness, bowwow, brag, dominance, high-handedness

condescension, disdain, scorn

chest-thumping, inflation, self-assertion, side [chiefly British], snobbery, snobbishness, snobbism, snootiness

attitude, cheek, cheekiness, impertinence, impudence, sauciness

boastfulness, bombast, braggadocio, bravado, strut, swagger, triumphalism, vaingloriousness, vainglory

cockiness, complacence, conceit, egoism, egotism, pride, pridefulness, self-assumption, self-centeredness, self-complacency, self-conceit, self-content, self-contentment, self-opinion, self-partiality, self-satisfaction, smugness, swelled head, vanity

superiority complex

Near Antonyms of pretension

bashfulness, demureness, retiringness, shyness

diffidence, self-distrust, self-doubt, timidity, timidness

lowliness, meekness, mousiness, passiveness, passivity, submissiveness

quietness, reserve, reservedness

Antonyms of pretension

humility, modesty, unassumingness, unpretentiousness

3 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 of pretension

affectation, affectedness, grandiosity, inflation, pretense (or pretence), pretentiousness

Words Related to pretension

arrogance, bumptiousness, complacency, conceit, egotism, hauteur, imperiousness, pompousness, presumptuousness, pride, self-aggrandizement, self-assertion, self-assumption, self-conceit, self-consequence, self-glorification, self-importance, self-satisfaction, smugness, vaingloriousness, vainglory, vainness, vanity

disdain, haughtiness, lordliness, snobbery, snobbishness, superciliousness, superiority

confidence, presumption, self-assurance, self-confidence, sureness

boastfulness, braggadocio

aggressiveness, assertiveness, audaciousness, boldness, brassiness, cheekiness, cockiness, forwardness, impudence, insolence, rudeness

flamboyance, flashiness, garishness, gaudiness, glitz, mummery, ostentation, ostentatiousness, show, showiness

Near Antonyms of pretension

demureness, down-to-earthness, humbleness, humility, lowliness, meekness, modesty

bashfulness, diffidence, shyness, timidity

naturalness, sincerity

4 something that one hopes or intends to accomplish

has serious pretensions of becoming a writer

Synonyms of pretension

aim, ambition, aspiration, bourne (also bourn), design, dream, end, goal, idea, ideal, intent, intention, mark, meaning, object, objective, plan, point, purpose, target, thing

Words Related to pretension

grail, holy grail

plot, project, scheme

desire, hope, mind, wish

destination, terminus

Phrases Synonymous with pretension

name of the game

Near Antonyms of pretension

means, method, way

Synonym Discussion of pretension

ambition, aspiration, pretension mean strong desire for advancement. ambition applies to the desire for personal advancement or preferment and may suggest equally a praiseworthy or an inordinate desire.

- driven by ambition

aspiration implies a striving after something higher than oneself.

- an aspiration to become president someday

pretension suggests ardent desire for recognition of accomplishment often without actual possession of the necessary ability and therefore may imply presumption.

- has literary pretensions

Learn More about pretension

See words that rhyme with pretension Dictionary: Definition of pretension Spanish Central: Translation of pretension Nglish: Translation of pretension for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of pretension for Arabic speakers

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