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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 pretentious
They’re much better made, more literate, more economical, more efficient, more interested in just telling a story and not being pretentious.
—
John Bleasdale, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025
Though Dirty Dom’s in-ring debut began in 2020, the pretentious son of Rey Mysterio Jr. inherited his slick ways from iconic WWE superstar Eddie Guerrero.
—Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 7 Aug. 2025
Brands that create fabulous-looking but pompous and pretentious campaigns just feel inauthentic.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
Democratic strategist James Carville scolded his party for being pretentious and out of touch with large segments of the population, including young men.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretentious
John Bleasdale, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025
Though Dirty Dom’s in-ring debut began in 2020, the pretentious son of Rey Mysterio Jr. inherited his slick ways from iconic WWE superstar Eddie Guerrero.
—Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 7 Aug. 2025
Brands that create fabulous-looking but pompous and pretentious campaigns just feel inauthentic.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
Democratic strategist James Carville scolded his party for being pretentious and out of touch with large segments of the population, including young men.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretentious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretentious
Adjective
-
These early years emphasized goofiness, offensiveness, and mocking arrogant celebrities who pushed their platforms at award shows.—
Chris Yogerst,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Aug. 2025
-
The announcement was made during a backstage segment involving NXT General Manager Ava and the arrogant superstar Lexis King.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Guigal’s strategy isn’t built on pompous conservatism, but in long-term thinking.—
Paul Caputo,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Louis Partridge will take on the scheming Mr Wickham, with Jamie Demetriou playing the pompous Mr Collins, Daryl McCormack as Jane’s beloved Mr Bingley, Siena Kelly as his sister Caroline and Shaw as the fearsome Lady Catherine de Bourg.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Overblown, ostentatious hybrids of classical and local styles, kitschily ornamented with classical detail, all on a scale meant to be overwhelming rather than inviting—that’s what Big Brother’s city hall always looks like.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Now, the Chinese leader is set to exhibit a very different image with an ostentatious show of military might.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Das maintains a nuanced view of his role as a comedian, rejecting grandiose notions about speaking truth to power.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
3 Sep. 2025
-
This was not a hoax, exactly; Baron makes a convincing case that Lowell believed passionately in his grandiose claims, and that many members of the public wanted to believe in them, at a time of disorienting change.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
That means pausing California’s high-minded independent commission that has, admirably, drawn congressional boundaries in a non-partisan way since 2010.—
Mercury News Editorial,
Mercury News,
15 Aug. 2025
-
These kinds of high-minded decisions are just too abstract when terrible things are happening so fast.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
As Cantillo dissected his outing, Hedges peered over at him, beaming like a proud father.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
-
But the proud Eugene will not hear of it.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretentious. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share