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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 The author behind the singular Elizabeth Zott returns with ‘Peck & Peck,’ a sharp, charming satire on the pretensions and perils of literary gatekeepers. — Leigh Haber, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretensions

Noun

The plan sought to provide basic guarantees to secure African American voting rights, alleviate discrimination in voting, and prosecute lynch mobs.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 31 Oct. 2026
Tipp alleges Sanders and his representatives fraudulently induced him to surrender his rights through a retroactive work-for-hire agreement shortly after Sanders became CU’s head coach in December 2022.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of rights

Noun

Pavel Mintyukov and Beckett Sennecke each had two goals and an assist for the Ducks, and Laurent Brossoit made 23 saves.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Ottawa continues to defend well, allowing the eighth-fewest goals at five-on-five, according to Natural Stat Trick.

— Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of goals

Noun

Lara faced intense scrutiny and criticism during his eight years in office from Californians frustrated by rising prices, fewer options and how their claims were handled.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Trump endorsed Collins for the Republican nomination in a state where the president anchored his false claims that his 2020 defeat was rigged.

— Bill Barrow, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of claims

Noun

The measure would require new local tax increases or extensions that are used for specific purposes to receive a two-thirds vote to pass.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
The septet is also planning on working on new material for full-band endeavors as well as individual purposes.

— Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of purposes

Noun

Shirley has since visited other states in the US under similar pretenses, showing up unannounced to grocery stores and hospice centers in search of evidence of fraud.

— Mia Sato, The Verge, 20 Oct. 2026
Conference expansion has shattered pretenses to regional coherence.

— Geraldo L. Cadava, The Atlantic, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of pretenses

Noun

That includes administration officials who are occasionally whispered about as harboring presidential ambitions, like Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

— Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Testing supports commercial ambitions Thea Energy says the collaboration will help de-risk key engineering milestones on its path to commercial fusion by 2035.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of ambitions

Noun

Depending on your tolerance for grand aims and liturgical self-seriousness, her latest album may strike you as extraordinary or unbearable.

— Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 28 Oct. 2026
Analysts voice skepticism that a new target list or more destruction will reverse the war allies’ failure to achieve their major aims.

— Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of aims

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pretension

pretensions

pretentious

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“Pretensions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretensions. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of pretensions

noun

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