1
as in rights
an entitlement to something
a pretension of long standing to the throne of Hungary
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in goals
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 pretensions
Perfection is inhuman, and pretensions to it are both doomed and misbegotten.
—
Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 27 May 2026
The digs at the pretensions of artists, channeled through Claire’s decision to make her death a public spectacle in order to secure some future fame, are less amusing here because the blows never seem to quite connect with their targets.
—Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2026
Traditionally, Oscars hosts have been at their best when puncturing the pretensions of the stars in attendance, but for the most part, host Conan O’Brien bought into their sense of their own righteousness.
—Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
By the early 1950s, many clerics had come to see the Pahlavi monarchy, for all its secular pretensions, as a manageable partner.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
The war with Ukraine has revealed the yawning gap between Russia’s pretensions and its capabilities.
—George F. Will, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2026
With his dweeby air, pretensions and position at the helm of an active production, Arthur is the Liz Lemon of this setup, but with the emphases reversed.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 23 Feb. 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
This action comedy is audacious in portraying the pretensions of show business.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Jan. 2026
Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 27 May 2026
The digs at the pretensions of artists, channeled through Claire’s decision to make her death a public spectacle in order to secure some future fame, are less amusing here because the blows never seem to quite connect with their targets.
—Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2026
Traditionally, Oscars hosts have been at their best when puncturing the pretensions of the stars in attendance, but for the most part, host Conan O’Brien bought into their sense of their own righteousness.
—Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
By the early 1950s, many clerics had come to see the Pahlavi monarchy, for all its secular pretensions, as a manageable partner.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
The war with Ukraine has revealed the yawning gap between Russia’s pretensions and its capabilities.
—George F. Will, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2026
With his dweeby air, pretensions and position at the helm of an active production, Arthur is the Liz Lemon of this setup, but with the emphases reversed.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 23 Feb. 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
This action comedy is audacious in portraying the pretensions of show business.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretensions
Noun
-
And as Secretary of State Jena Griswold and Molly Fitzpatrick, Boulder County clerk and recorder, aptly point out, the courts are well attuned to the need to protect First Amendment rights and were already poised to provide Peters with eventual relief.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
-
The category, which now grabs the biggest audiences and ad dollars, is seeing ever-rising media rights costs.—
Lillian Rizzo,
CNBC,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Both of those goals were assisted on by Jalen Chatfield.—
Matt Reigle,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
-
Miami leads the league with 39 goals, but the defense continues to be vulnerable, with 28 goals allowed.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
2 June 2026
Noun
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On Sunday, Pence said the DOJ already has the authority to resolve legitimate claims without maintaining a separate compensation fund.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
31 May 2026
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Some are staking claims even though the government has not established an application process and a judge has frozen the fund’s formation, at least temporarily.—
Michael Kunzelman,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
Noun
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While there is nothing particularly Jordanian about the design, the interiors serve multiple purposes for visiting business travelers and tourists.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Ryan Josue Rojas, 20, of Herriman, Utah, was arraigned Sunday on one count of accosting a minor for immoral purposes, Michigan State Police said.—
Joseph Buczek,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
According to the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office, 55-year-old Ziad Khalel, of Clinton Township, was arraigned on Tuesday on one count of false pretenses - $1,000 ore more but less than $20,000 and as a habitual offender - second offense.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
27 May 2026
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According to Placer Superior Court filings, one false pretenses count and the personal identifying information charge stemmed from a June 21, 2025, incident.—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
20 May 2026
Noun
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The acreage also left room for additional ambitions, with the listing pointing to practical extras like an oversized three-car garage, space for a shop or barn, and the potential for horses.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
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If that's the case, that sobering development would be a critical blow to NASA and its ambitions of establishing a foothold on the moon.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Noun
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And Patriot Front has plans to keep growing – fast.—
Will Carless,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
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According to News 12, the 43-year-old reality star told VUE Magazine about his plans to enter the political sphere at their spring edition party on Thursday night.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
Noun
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Gordon is a keen chess player, has been known to write down his short- and long-term aims in a journal and keeps himself in great shape away from football.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
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The industry at large aims to dig itself out of a nearly four-year malaise amid wider weakness in the industrial and manufacturing sectors.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pretensions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretensions. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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