1
as in arrogant
self-consciously trying to present an appearance of grandeur or importance
that pretentious couple always serves caviar at their parties, even though they themselves dislike it
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in superior
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude
a pretentious author whose books only appeal to equally pretentious readers
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pretentious
Chic but not pretentious, Belden House and Mews has blown a refreshing breeze of European style into the tiny enclave about two hours from New York City, that is also packed with hundreds of miles of hiking trails and classic landscapes.
—
Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026
But none of that does much to camouflage a core drama that’s pretentious and dull.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
In The Menu, a 2022 dark comedy that satirizes ultra-fine dining during a pretentious and ultimately violent dinner, Graham’s seaweed appears in the very first course, dramatically draped over a plate of rocks.
—Megan Zhang, Saveur, 8 Apr. 2026
Dim lights, a chic elegant interior, a chatty and trendy crowd, a menu that’s sophisticated but not too pretentious, and a welcoming bar (plus a little je ne sais quoi) are to be expected.
—Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pretentious
Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026
But none of that does much to camouflage a core drama that’s pretentious and dull.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
In The Menu, a 2022 dark comedy that satirizes ultra-fine dining during a pretentious and ultimately violent dinner, Graham’s seaweed appears in the very first course, dramatically draped over a plate of rocks.
—Megan Zhang, Saveur, 8 Apr. 2026
Dim lights, a chic elegant interior, a chatty and trendy crowd, a menu that’s sophisticated but not too pretentious, and a welcoming bar (plus a little je ne sais quoi) are to be expected.
—Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pretentious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretentious
Adjective
-
Not even the pork choppers were as arrogant and scornful of voting rights as the current mob.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 May 2026
-
Of course, David went on to build one of the most illustrious careers in television with characters who are often arrogant, petty and unlikable by traditional media standards.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
Then give the land back, you pompous charlatans.—
Joe Soucheray,
Twin Cities,
2 May 2026
-
And the less said of the poorly mixed, pompous Machina, the better.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Where these collections once prioritized open-toed sandals and breezy silhouettes, more ostentatious and conceptual collections have instead followed suit.—
Alexandra Hildreth,
Vogue,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Why does City Hall need to be so big and ostentatious?—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Mario series was maturing alongside the greater video-game landscape, but its childlike essence remained—not through docile cuteness, but through a more grandiose fusion of wonder, whimsy, and wistfulness.—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
9 May 2026
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Victory Day is one of the most important national holidays in modern Russia, featuring a grandiose parade to celebrate and commemorate its defeat of Hitler’s Wehrmacht in 1945.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
But the series’ central character, played by Rachel Weisz, has enough nervous, itchy, manic energy to make the show’s narrative structure feel purposely unstable rather than safely smug.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
4 May 2026
-
McDaniels, who cut through the Nuggets’ egos early in the series with fearless words and a smug grin, got the last laugh.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
The people are so welcoming and friendly and proud of their city And there’s great food.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
11 May 2026
-
After three years in the Eurovision wilderness, Romania makes a loud-and-proud comeback with a propulsive blend of nu-metal guitars, angsty melodies, and operatic trills worthy of a hand-horn salute.—
Jon O'Brien,
Vulture,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
Such an attempt to normalize petty crime makes Vicky Osterweil’s 2020 manifesto, In Defense of Looting, look high-minded.—
Thomas Chatterton Williams,
The Atlantic,
23 Apr. 2026
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But while Taylor Sheridan’s shows, product enhancements and even blockbuster movies were on the menu, the pitch from Ellison and his team was at times more high-minded.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pretentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretentious. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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