pretentiously

adverb

as in pompously

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 pretentiously What can be said about the Kalimotxo that hasn’t been pretentiously asserted by an undergraduate who just learned about it? — Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretentiously
  1. pompously
  2. ostentatiously
  3. impressively
  4. magnificently
Adverb
  • Texas is taking it to a new level, pompously trying to single-handedly keep Republican control of the House after the 2026 midterms.
    — Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 7 Aug. 2025
Definition of pompously
Adverb
  • Bryan Fuller’s expressionistic procedural is ostentatiously gruesome, yes, but the increasingly disturbing interplay between Will and Hannibal — cat and mouse, will-they/won’t they — is a full course meal on its own.
    — Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Apr. 2026
  • In her closet were seven Ungaros, three Rykiels, a Kamali bathing suit and a Kamali sleeping-bag coat, five Kenzo dresses, two pieces from the Ballets Russes collection of Saint Laurent—all of which were trades or payments in kind, none of them mothballed, but instead worn ostentatiously and often.
    — Han Ong, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026
Definition of ostentatiously
Adverb
  • As someone who sunburns at the drop of a hat (pun intended), I’m especially inspired by Lopez’s impressively oversized version, which managed to shade even her shoulders.
    — Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026
  • Bathrooms are impressively spacious—they're large enough to fit a double vanity and a glass rain shower.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026
Definition of impressively
Adverb
  • New Zealand responded magnificently with a try in the eighth minute by Jordan.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026
  • This puts the show in an incredible place—and, hopefully, tees up Season 2 magnificently.
    — Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 21 June 2026
Definition of magnificently

Browse Nearby Words

pretentious
pretentiously
pretentiousness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pretentiously.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretentiously. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 17
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
child-detective
Spot the Misspelled Word July 2026 Those little red underlines can't help you now...
See All