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
Each space differs, but the owners and creators prioritize community and inclusivity over exclusivity and pretension.
—
Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025
The story is said to explore themes of love, jealousy, ambition and pretension.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 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
Happy's father's untimely death was what led to Happy developing a short fuse, and his bond with his grandma was what first inspired him to take up the game of golf despite his distaste for the pretensions of the sport.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretension
Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025
The story is said to explore themes of love, jealousy, ambition and pretension.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 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
Happy's father's untimely death was what led to Happy developing a short fuse, and his bond with his grandma was what first inspired him to take up the game of golf despite his distaste for the pretensions of the sport.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretension
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretension
Noun
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The daycare owners also signed away their right to sue for flood damages, but the state did not place a restrictive covenant on their remaining property.—
Maia Rosenfeld,
ABC News,
1 Oct. 2025
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Republican Senators Rand Paul and Ted Cruz piped up in defense of Kimmel’s right to free speech without governmental interference.—
Sarah Stankorb,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The series follows the fictional Holliday, a former star whose arrogance burned every bridge.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
30 Sep. 2025
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Blenkin told Variety in September 2025 that his character's laughter comes from arrogance.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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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
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Personality and purpose Upon entering the home, the first room one notices is Catherine's spacious office, which sits just to the left of the front door.—
Lennie Omalza,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Oct. 2025
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While the Sixers theoretically have four centers, one is the brittle Joel Embiid, two are youngsters who haven’t clearly established themselves yet (Adem Bona and Johni Broome) and the other is a near-the-end Andre Drummond, who might also be traded for tax purposes.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But those cameras don’t fit in your pocket, which is why the iPhone has long been, and continues to be, the best camera for anyone who wants to move light, fast, and far—and the updates to the sensors reinforce its superiority.—
Jakob Schiller,
Outside,
23 Sep. 2025
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With over 600 DEXs now operating according to Grvt’s estimates, pure technological superiority or lower fees no longer guarantee success.—
Boaz Sobrado,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Multiple Democrats say Vought and the president were determined to use the shutdown as a pretense for inflicting further pain on political opponents.—
Franco Ordoñez,
NPR,
2 Oct. 2025
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Composer Deantoni Parks’s score sustains and amplifies the tension, heightening the creeping pretense of water rushing forward and the punishing breathlessness of struggling back upstream.—
Anne Reeve,
Artforum,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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When asked about whether as many as 300,000 workers could lose their jobs, Vought emphasized the administration’s broader goal of shrinking Washington’s reach.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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With a clearer picture of cash flow, an advisor can make investing recommendations based on your goals, risk tolerance and timeline.—
Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Kelli Grant, CFP®,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Across a little over nine years in English football, Guardiola has learned from a different culture and adapted his own ideas to keep pace with changing times.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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That idea also died against business and political opposition.—
Jim Riccioli,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretension. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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