1
as in rights
an entitlement to something
a pretension of long standing to the throne of Hungary
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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
The pilot isn’t quite sure what makes Arthur funny, alternating between jokes about his artistic pretensions and his extreme whiteness.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 18 Jan. 2026
His pretensions—riding around in a grand coach and continuing the weekly levees—as well as his administration’s notorious effort to enforce deference in the 1798 Sedition Act, fell flat.
—Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
Few things jar the delicate pretensions of the cocktail sophisticate so much as a drink with a chicken on top.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2025
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
The pilot isn’t quite sure what makes Arthur funny, alternating between jokes about his artistic pretensions and his extreme whiteness.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 18 Jan. 2026
His pretensions—riding around in a grand coach and continuing the weekly levees—as well as his administration’s notorious effort to enforce deference in the 1798 Sedition Act, fell flat.
—Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
Few things jar the delicate pretensions of the cocktail sophisticate so much as a drink with a chicken on top.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretensions
Noun
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Mandel, who sells media rights to many of the biggest tennis tournaments in the world, praised the company for focusing on storytelling and turning the streaming service into the home for tennis.—
Lucas Shaw,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The general public, women’s rights groups and public figures including ministers Anielle Franco and Sonia Guajajara took to social media to denounce the incident.—
Eléonore Hughes,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But his candid portrayal of challenges and tech goals on Thursday was far more measured in tone.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Forward Paulinho has six goals and one assist in the 2026 Clausura, while Alexis Vega has returned from injury.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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All prize claims must be submitted within 180 days of the drawing date for draw games.—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
8 Mar. 2026
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In an email, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson who did not provide their name rejected claims of substandard conditions, saying Camp East Montana detainees receive food, water and medical treatment in a facility that is regularly cleaned.—
Morgan Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice.—
Sixteen Ramos,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
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Express Employment Professionals, a staffing agency that has worked with 13 NCIA graduates in the last 18 months, confirmed that many could not be placed because the positions require a full license for insurance purposes.—
Brendan Hellweg,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The adults were arrested on suspicion of theft from an elder, theft by false pretenses, conspiracy, contracting without a license and other offenses.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
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Yet even as Starbucks attempts to refocus on coffee by moving away from desserts masquerading as drinks, newer chains are making no pretenses about selling beverages that can easily tide someone over through a mealtime or two.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Solutions like this will ensure everyday Americans never foot the bill for our country’s AI ambitions.—
Eric Schmidt,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
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Benjamin Reinhard, 14, won by correctly spelling the word kenosis, which refers to the act of a Christian person voluntarily giving up their personal rights and ambitions and accepting suffering, according to the spelling bee’s definition.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Your 9th House of Higher Learning is empowered by Luna’s entry into Capricorn, encouraging you to make plans that broaden your view.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
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Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you're not caught outside.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Whatever its environmental aims, the bill would also generate a new revenue stream for the state.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
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Military operations and national purpose will become more and more distanced from each other, because military prowess cannot clarify America’s war aims.—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pretensions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretensions. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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