PRETENSION Synonyms: 185 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'pretension' different from other nouns like it?

The words ambition and aspiration are common synonyms of pretension . While all three words mean "strong desire for advancement," pretension suggests ardent desire for recognition of accomplishment often without actual possession of the necessary ability and therefore may imply presumption. // has literary pretensions

Q: When would 'ambition' be a good substitute for 'pretension'?

The words ambition and pretension can be used in similar contexts, but ambition applies to the desire for personal advancement or preferment and may suggest equally a praiseworthy or an inordinate desire. // driven by ambition

Q: In what contexts can 'aspiration' take the place of 'pretension'?

While in some cases nearly identical to pretension , aspiration implies a striving after something higher than oneself. // an aspiration to become president someday

pretension

noun

pri-ˈten(t)-shən

Definition of pretension

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

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

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word pretension different from other nouns like it?

The words ambition and aspiration are common synonyms of pretension. While all three words mean "strong desire for advancement," pretension suggests ardent desire for recognition of accomplishment often without actual possession of the necessary ability and therefore may imply presumption.

has literary pretensions

When would ambition be a good substitute for pretension?

The words ambition and pretension can be used in similar contexts, but ambition applies to the desire for personal advancement or preferment and may suggest equally a praiseworthy or an inordinate desire.

driven by ambition

In what contexts can aspiration take the place of pretension?

While in some cases nearly identical to pretension, aspiration implies a striving after something higher than oneself.

an aspiration to become president someday

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 pretension 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 It’s revered as a pretension-free refuge from overpriced and overstimulating Ocean Drive. — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 2 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 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 See All Example Sentences for pretension

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretension

Noun

Sony Pictures Classics picked up worldwide rights during the festival, and the film has since played Toronto’s Discovery program.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Karen Huger is sober, Wendy Osefo is fighting to reclaim her reputation, Tia’s husband is cheating on her, and Ashley Darby remains committed to the sacred constitutional right to be in everybody’s business but her own.

— Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of right

Noun

Ilya is looking for work as an assistant, and the professor, with his dandyish nerd arrogance, tells him to look at a paper he’s written and come back in a few days.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026
This standalone novel looks at the cult of celebrity, the bond among parents and children, entitlement and arrogance, all wrapped into a tightly wound plot that’s an evocative historical steeped in the Great Depression.

— Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of arrogance

Noun

With rare exceptions, EV sound is little more than an affectation.

— Byron Hurd, The Drive, 27 Aug. 2026
Robinhood's banking product arrived with private-bank affectations, estate planning, event access, cash to the door, priced at $5 a month inside a bundle a 30-year-old already pays for.

— Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of affectation

Noun

On a blistering surprise EP, Deafheaven find the vicious attack and grandiose drama of symphonic black metal perfectly suited to their purposes.

— Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026
Aside from being part of the salon decor, the sculpture’s purpose, Ingram explained, is to introduce Vero’s service to his clientele.

— Ari Stark, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of purpose

Noun

The claim that Ukraine has halted its strikes on energy sites could not be independently verified, but neither Russian officials nor media have reported Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries since the energy truce was announced.

— HANNA ARHIROVA, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026
Gilbert shared a post to his Instagram story responding to the outcry from fans of the actor over the weekend, addressing claims that Danny is pro-ICE or supports Shapiro’s politics.

— Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of claim

Noun

Meanwhile, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), which sees space superiority as essential to winning future wars, is developing a range of space capabilities as well as a suite of weapons that can attack satellites.

— Kathleen Curlee, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2026
Credibility is affected deeply by strategic cultural assessments about superiority and inferiority, and notions about when, where, how and for whom the credibility matters.

— Christopher Nichols, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of superiority

Noun

The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful—don't expect any pretense here, just genuine (and enjoyable) engagement.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
Tom’s frugality also lured Nancy into the business on the pretense of spending more time together.

— Tim Graham, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of pretense

Noun

The Biden administration built it back and set a goal of admitting 125,000 refugees during the final year of his term.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
The company currently takes about a day to build a robot, with the goal of reducing the process to approximately one hour next year.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of goal

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“Pretension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretension. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of pretension

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