PRETENSIONS Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

pretensions

noun

plural of pretension

as in rights

an entitlement to something a pretension of long standing to the throne of Hungary

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in goals

something that one hopes or intends to accomplish has serious pretensions of becoming a writer

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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 pretensions Their trading volume, political influence and public profiles have expanded — as have their pretensions. — W. Joseph Campbell, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026 Anyone can join this adventure, this surge of solidarity through collective prayer for our world, to put a stop to all the pretensions of evil. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Sep. 2026 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 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 Like Paul Schrader’s 1982 version of the latter, this is an upscale genre piece whose pretensions towards Art are upfront, starting with a quotation from no less than Schopenhauer. — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 30 July 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 The British journalist Malcolm Muggeridge, who converted to Christianity late in his life, pointed out that Jesus’s entire ministry was directed against the pretensions of earthly power. — Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026 Adley and his team make great tasting plates first and foremost, but some of the items, like the unmissable chicken wings stuffed with boudin blanc and romesco, act as a cheeky affront to haute cuisine’s pretensions and conventions. — Colin Wrenn, Denver Post, 3 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretensions

Noun

Diplomats and rights advocates are condemning Turkey’s crackdown on LGBT organizations and individuals, and protesters demonstrated Friday outside Turkish missions in the United States and Europe.

— Mohamad El Chamaa, Washington Post, 18 Sep. 2026
However, immigrant rights advocates are skeptical about this claim and wary about the lack of oversight of ICE agents.

— J. Toby Reiner, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of rights

Noun

In addition to the bribery allegation, Fricker’s complaint calls on Holland to investigate a slew of other claims against Zahnd.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026
The judge sustained objections when the defense tried to get into some of the caller's specific claims.

— Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of claims

Noun

FedNow and Bitcoin merchant payments operate through different systems and serve different purposes, so their transaction figures do not provide a basis for direct comparison.

— Karen Koehler, Sacbee.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Assessments Assessment reports like those produced by the US and the IPCC serve several purposes.

— Scott K. Johnson, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of purposes

Noun

Holmes was once an icon in the tech world, serving as a poster child for the limitless ambitions and potential of Silicon Valley.

— Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026
Lowe’s principal is out for a blue ribbon prize from the school district, and to sabotage his ambitions Doug stages an original musical in secret starring his earnest, talented young students.

— Matt Donnelly, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of ambitions

Noun

Meloni also announced plans to prohibit face-covering garments, specifically mentioning the burqas and niqabs worn by some women and girls, in schools.

— Elena Giuliano, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026
Meanwhile, over the weekend, the New York Times revealed previously unreported details about the center’s plans to remove and replace the artworks in its collection, including gifts from foreign countries.

— Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of plans

Noun

The caucus also will focus on innovation, competition, and responsible platform practices, among other aims.

— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026
Across your sky, innovative Uranus highlights your 10th House of Career and Status, so professional aims need flexible plans that protect domestic stability.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of aims

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pretension

pretensions

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“Pretensions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretensions. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of pretensions

noun

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