PRETENSIONS Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

pretensions

noun

Definition of pretensions next

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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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 Spiegelman uses the term micro-looting, dressing up petty theft in political pretensions. —

Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretensions

Noun

However, rights groups, including Global Witness, have long urged jewelers to avoid buying Burmese gemstones, saying the trade helps fund the country's military governments, according to The Associated Press.

— Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026
The 53-year-old rights activist and champion of women’s rights was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023 while in prison and has been jailed repeatedly throughout her career.

— Sarah el Deeb, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026