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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pretentious
After the war, that technology, developed by a painfully pretentious guru named Ethan Skate (Stanley Tucci), was sold to the public as a way of keeping them sedated and immersed in imaginary worlds.
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Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025
After the war, that technology, developed by a painfully pretentious guru named Ethan Skate (Stanley Tucci), was sold to the public as a way of keeping them sedated and immersed in imaginary worlds.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for pretentious
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025
After the war, that technology, developed by a painfully pretentious guru named Ethan Skate (Stanley Tucci), was sold to the public as a way of keeping them sedated and immersed in imaginary worlds.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for pretentious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretentious
Adjective
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For example, when a man in his sixties talks about the same thing, he’s seen as calm and logical, but when a woman in her twenties talks about it, she’s seen as arrogant or trying to act mature.—
Billboard Japan,
Billboard,
15 May 2025
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By losing some of its arrogant charm, Doom has also lost the means to back it up.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
15 May 2025
Adjective
-
Jain didn’t barge onto the scene with the pompous bravado as many others do.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
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The entire episode elicits the kind of pompous stench that has long prompted ill feelings toward Michigan — a sentiment magnified by the actions and attitudes that led to the investigation at hand.—
Mitch Sherman,
New York Times,
14 May 2025
Adjective
-
The somewhat ostentatious Vivobook badge on the lid doesn't detract from its overall classy look.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
30 Apr. 2025
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The ostentatious ex-TV host’s unprecedented turn in the White House has already produced several striking visual moments.—
Adam Jeffery,Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Trump’s arrival in the Saudi capital of Riyadh was flanked by an escort of F-15 fighter jets, a show of the grandiose visit that awaited him.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
16 May 2025
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The construction of it satisfied something in me that likes breaking the rules, not in any kind of grandiose way but there’s something in the process of that which really satisfies me.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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In the next round that year, Boston lost Game 6 at home to the Heat before knocking out Jimmy Butler and his proud team by capturing Game 7 in Miami.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
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Jaylon is a proud alumnus of the University of Georgia.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretentious. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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