1
as in right
an entitlement to something
a pretension of long standing to the throne of Hungary
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
His lack of pretension, reflected in performances that found power in subtlety, only added to the admiration of his peers and the public.
—
Fred Schruers, IndieWire, 16 Feb. 2026
The menu is elevated, but without pretension.
—Usa Today Network, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
With a takeout window and a sprawling open-air patio currently patrolled by the world’s noisiest rooster, the modest spot just west of I-95 has become known as a place for warm comfort food without pretension.
—Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
The nation was to be purged of continual sin not indeed all of its own doing—due partly to its inheritance; and yet a sin, a negation that gave the world the right to sneer at the pretensions of this republic.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pretension
Fred Schruers, IndieWire, 16 Feb. 2026
The menu is elevated, but without pretension.
—Usa Today Network, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
With a takeout window and a sprawling open-air patio currently patrolled by the world’s noisiest rooster, the modest spot just west of I-95 has become known as a place for warm comfort food without pretension.
—Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
The nation was to be purged of continual sin not indeed all of its own doing—due partly to its inheritance; and yet a sin, a negation that gave the world the right to sneer at the pretensions of this republic.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pretension
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretension
Noun
-
Sign up here to receive an email right as the chat is about to start.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission already has the power to investigate schools and enforce students’ rights, but it’s rarely used for that end.—
Collin Binkley,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Too few compliments make kids feel slighted, while too many can inspire arrogance.—
Wayne Parker,
Parents,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Adam McKay’s toxically smug dissection of Dick Cheney fails to take the full measure of this monstrous vice-president, but even so, Bale taps into something elemental about the man’s arrogance and domineering personality.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
For the most part though, For the First Time, Again is weighed down by oversinging and emotional affectation.—
Millan Verma,
Pitchfork,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The self-conscious aspiration to hipness here is unfortunate and decidedly not cool, but some may find such affectations quaint.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
For anyone building a compact, efficient toolkit, the hori hori knife eliminates the need for several single-purpose gadgets.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The military’s purpose is national defense, not managing domestic dissent.—
Brielle Miller,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
All prize claims must be submitted within 180 days of the drawing date for draw games.—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Fleming, as a former roommate, previously addressed those claims.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Throughout the litigation, Live Nation disputed the government’s theory, insisting that its success reflects the superiority of its product and the preferences of venues and consumers.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The Illusion of Division Invincibility The reality of the NFL is that superiority is as fragile as a wet paper towel.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This shocking cowardice and sheer abandonment of any pretense of ethics or values are rendered even more shameful when considering that Noem was brought down by polls, likely more than anything else.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
-
What is beauty if not precisely the property that provokes us to abandon all pretense of analytic remove in our desperation to draw closer?—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Iran had been building that capacity in Iraq since the 1980s, cultivating Shia political networks, exile parties and militia groups during and after the Iran-Iraq War and beyond with the explicit goal of ensuring a post-Saddam Iraq would never again threaten Iranian security.—
Farah N. Jan,
The Conversation,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Awe-inspiring Jupiter is moving forward once more in your empathetic sign, lifting your confidence and inviting a fresh approach to self-care and personal goals.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pretension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretension. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
