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
Accusing it of being pretentious, an ego trip, and lacking depth.
—
Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 10 Mar. 2025
The restaurant is slightly more elevated than your classic casual spot but is far from pretentious.
—Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2025
There’s a certain traditional stereotype of actors as people who are arrogant or self-confident, the sort of people who are overly serious, aloof, or pretentious.
—Callum Booth, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
In the cool interiors of this chic Parisian address though, savouring an aged Armagnac after lunch or dinner is not a pretentious throwback, but a gastronomic pleasure.
—Paul Caputo, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretentious
Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 10 Mar. 2025
The restaurant is slightly more elevated than your classic casual spot but is far from pretentious.
—Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2025
There’s a certain traditional stereotype of actors as people who are arrogant or self-confident, the sort of people who are overly serious, aloof, or pretentious.
—Callum Booth, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
In the cool interiors of this chic Parisian address though, savouring an aged Armagnac after lunch or dinner is not a pretentious throwback, but a gastronomic pleasure.
—Paul Caputo, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretentious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretentious
Adjective
-
That doesn’t portray a hero, but rather someone so arrogant as to invent his own law and appoint himself its executioner.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Fed Up in Illinois Dear Fed Up: Is Edie mean, arrogant, disobedient and rude in the presence of her parents, or has she been invited to spend time with your girls separately?—
Abigail Van Buren,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Nelis renders the professor a pompous and pedantic twit but not a heartless one.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2025
-
Our rituals and our cassocks are pompous.—
Paul Elie,
The New Yorker,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The Italian godfather of fashion kept his ostentatious interior hush hush until the yacht’s 2018 delivery.—
Julia Zaltzman,
Robb Report,
21 Apr. 2025
-
At least one brand of chocolate has always advertised itself in ostentatious settings and at high-end parties and events.—
David T. Nudelman,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The performances are April 25 at 7:30 p.m. and April 27 at 2 p.m. The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra will accompany the company’s biggest and most grandiose productions in years featuring a diverse cast, including a Grammy Award winner, a Grammy nominee and up-and-coming vocalists.—
James Russell,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Apr. 2025
-
What sounded grandiose in the preelection days seems today like a reasonable summary of the path Trump and his allies have chosen.—
Stephen Engelberg,
ProPublica,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The best way to express this high-minded idealism was by mass-producing extremely potent, extremely pure LSD, almost as if its non-dilution was an expression of their own virtue.—
John Semley,
Rolling Stone,
19 Apr. 2025
-
For generations, students and researchers from around the world have flocked to Boston, drawn not just to a college or university but to a region where high-minded intellectual life was part of its brand.—
Jenna Russell,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Jaylon is a proud alumnus of the University of Georgia.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
20 Apr. 2025
-
Christine Brown's 6 Children: All About Her Son and Daughters with Sister Wives Costar and Ex Kody Brown In December 2022, Christine shared a proud mom moment with her followers on Instagram, explaining how Truely stood up to a bully at school who was bothering her friend.—
Karli Bendlin,
People.com,
20 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretentious. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share