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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pretentious
Elevated with an ever-evolving menu of dishes in a non-pretentious yet upscale environment, Forty 1 is led by Chef Lindsey Dale who is no stranger to fresh, local ingredients, and who also works closely with local purveyors.
—
David Duran, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 2026
In Tim Burton’s breakthrough film, O’Hara played tragically hip Delia Deetz, the pretentious and self-absorbed stepmother of Winona Ryder’s Lydia.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Foodie sounds a little pretentious.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 20 Jan. 2026
The result is a unique brand of luxury that is warm, welcoming, and intentional—not pretentious.
—Nina Ruggiero, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pretentious
David Duran, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 2026
In Tim Burton’s breakthrough film, O’Hara played tragically hip Delia Deetz, the pretentious and self-absorbed stepmother of Winona Ryder’s Lydia.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Foodie sounds a little pretentious.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 20 Jan. 2026
The result is a unique brand of luxury that is warm, welcoming, and intentional—not pretentious.
—Nina Ruggiero, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pretentious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretentious
Adjective
-
Maekar refuses, earning a cutting rebuttal from Dunk about the royal upbringing that turned Daeron (Henry Ashton) into a drunken coward and Aerion into an arrogant and cruel madman.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
23 Feb. 2026
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And ironically, the most arrogant ones are the worst ones.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In Italy in the 1960s, announcements about a state-of-the-art highway that would soon connect the economically struggling south with the advanced north were as pompous as the scale of the project.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
17 Feb. 2026
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When a pompous male customer refused to be waited on by a female server, Bass quietly approached the table.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Set to a jazzy score and shot on the streets, The Only Living Pickpocket in New York is filled with life, though not in an ostentatious, masquerading way.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
19 Feb. 2026
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In fact, director William Wyler’s 1939 Hollywood adaptation — with its ostentatious outfits and romantic focus — feels like a better companion piece than the original literary source material.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
12 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Turns out sometimes Elon Musk’s grandiose promises and timelines might come later than promised due to, not surprisingly, technical realities.—
Joel Feder,
The Drive,
18 Feb. 2026
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Jackson resigned and formed his own organization, PUSH – which originally stood for People United to Save Humanity before being amended to the less grandiose People United to Serve Humanity.—
Paul Grein,
Billboard,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Woods kept everyone guessing — a favorite hobby of his — with one word and a smug grin last week at Riviera when he was asked if playing in the Masters was off the table.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Feb. 2026
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Meanwhile, a young Denholm Elliott makes for a delightfully smug Edgar Linton, and the underrated Angela Thornton brings to Isabella Linton a welcome sensuality.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Trump then reissued congratulations and reiterated how proud the team should be of themselves about the victory.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Feb. 2026
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The vibe was loud and proud, and rightfully so.—
Jessica Riley,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The opera offers a look at how the Civil War ended with high-minded statesmanship.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
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Was the thinking behind the decision so high-minded, though, back in 1890?—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pretentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretentious. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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