1
as in arrogance
an exaggerated sense of one's importance that shows itself in the making of excessive or unjustified claims
everyone took her ingrained pretentiousness into account when considering her statements
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ostentation
excessive or unnecessary display
the sheer pretentiousness of the debutante's wedding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in affectation
the quality or state of appearing or trying to appear more important or more valuable than is the case
the utter pretentiousness of the movie is matched only by the incomprehensibility of its story
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretentiousness
Noun
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The failure to heed early warnings from experts like Makary and Bhattacharya—now in positions to reshape federal health policy—underscores the arrogance of it all.—
Houman Hemmati,
Oc Register,
20 July 2025 -
One of the habits of being trustworthy is being humble, so when assertiveness tips into arrogance this is a red flag for potential clients.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Their minimalist bottles and containers photograph beautifully, their price points signal exclusivity without screaming ostentation, and their international origins provide cultural cache.—
Adam Hurly,
Robb Report,
24 June 2025
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As high heels become less of a requisite in certain arenas, the Cannes red carpet — whose ostentation is rivaled only by the Met Gala or the Oscars — is something of a final frontier.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
24 May 2025
Noun
-
The scenic appeal is undeniable, nature’s majestic prose both frames and dwarfs the tumultuous affectations of the characters.—
Holly Jones,
Variety,
11 Aug. 2025
-
From our review: Tessa Van den Broeck, a newcomer, plays Julie with zero affectation.—
The New York Times,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
His documentation has qualities of absurdism that effectively question human superiority.—
Jonathon Keats,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
-
These proud franchises are expected to head a two-team race for NFC East superiority.—
Geoffrey Knox,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Long before their estrangement, Diana taught William and Harry what that legacy looked like: a new kind of royal life rooted not in pomp but in compassion.—
Simon Perry,
People.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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Ming was eulogized during the service and more pomp that comes with a traditional law enforcement funeral service was carried out including the folding and presenting of the flag that draped his casket, a 21-gun salute (seven riflemen firing three volleys), and the playing of taps.—
Emily Curiel,
Kansas City Star,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The dining room is filled with pretension that keeps the volume whisper-level quiet, but who needs to chat loudly when every bite screams.—
Rafael Peña,
Miami Herald,
23 July 2025
-
Caminero’s 19th home run of the first round was the moment all my pretension was stripped away.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
15 July 2025
Noun
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These artists know that flamboyance needn’t preclude subtlety, and that stardom neither guarantees nor bars revelation.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
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But what really makes A View to a Kill sing are the baddies, starting at the top with the Nazi-bred, ex-KGB, genetically altered microchip tycoon, horse breeder, and airship enthusiast Max Zorin, played with characteristic flamboyance by Walken.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
24 May 2025
Noun
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The two men lured the woman under the pretense of a meeting then beat her to death in the desert because of her gender identity, prosecutors said.—
Maritza Dominguez,
AZCentral.com,
31 July 2025
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Hoffa's son said the purpose of the meetings was just a pretense to get Hoffa alone to murder him.—
Eric Shawn,
FOXNews.com,
26 July 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Pretentiousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretentiousness. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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