PRETENTIOUSNESS Synonyms: 178 Similar and Opposite Words

pretentiousness

noun

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in ostentation

excessive or unnecessary display the sheer pretentiousness of the debutante's wedding

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 pretentiousness Advertisement Jones uses his antihero’s blunt self-appraisals to avoid the pretentiousness endemic to stories about artists. — Judy Berman, Time, 2 June 2026 There's no pretentiousness or rigid formality, but the service, food, and wine are top-notch. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 May 2026 The lack of pretentiousness signals something about who’s welcome there. — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 29 Nov. 2025 There’s a pretentiousness that begins to show itself as folks get more comfortable. — Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 20 Oct. 2025 Coleman found no pretentiousness in Trafford, and he was not perturbed by the drop in facilities compared to the Etihad Campus. — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretentiousness

Noun

Needless to say there was no second date, and, eventually though painfully, my own arrogance had some of its rough edges worn down.

— Phil Plait, Scientific American, 26 June 2026
In Episode 3, Harris discussed the early arrogance of the founding fathers who made proposals for America's independence and questioned who was entitled to freedom.

— Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 24 June 2026

Definition of arrogance

Noun

The packaging and philosophy emphasize sustainability and collectibility without ostentation, aligning with a growing desire for thoughtful luxury.

— Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
While Vico has been careful to avoid any kind of ostentation, Argentaia offers a spa, a tennis court, a stunning 100-foot saltwater infinity pool overlooking the valley, and a movie theater.

— Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 22 May 2026

Definition of ostentation

Noun

In the wrong hands, those points of reference could land like an affectation, but instead, the band’s embrace of them feels genuine.

— Nick Laskin, Pitchfork, 20 May 2026
The 33-year-old Indianapolis native can trace its origins to a natural inclination toward performing and a lifelong admiration of Diane Sawyer and Katie Couric, but there's no step-by-step guide on how Sullivan mastered the affectation.

— Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 4 May 2026

Definition of affectation

Noun

By vilifying others, Marx could use moral superiority to legally steal from those who had more.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 9 July 2026
We are encouraged to indulge our delusions about replacement theory and white male superiority and to surrender to our instincts toward incivility and division.

— Dawn M. Turner, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

Definition of superiority

Noun

There is also plenty of pomp, along with bells, bonfires, and illuminations.

— Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 3 July 2026
With rising political violence, including recent incidents near the White House, and a president who enjoys being at the center of public pomp yet has repeatedly faced attempts on his life, a major security challenge awaits.

— Gary Fields, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026

Definition of pomp

Noun

Since then, flamboyances of flamingos—the collective noun for the birds—have competed with oranges to symbolize the state.

— Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 6 July 2026
These flourishes, recalling New York’s Jazz Age flamboyance, give the vast interior its fizz — and will inevitably have value engineers salivating to trim, slice, and simplify.

— Justin Davidson, Curbed, 8 June 2026

Definition of flamboyance

Noun

Trimpey also faces a felony charge of obtaining money by false pretenses.

— Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
In the suit, Ibrahim alleges that he was lured to the gym under the pretense of a challenge and was ambushed by Watson, a co-owner of the gym and two other men.

— Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026

Definition of pretense

Browse Nearby Words

pretentiously

pretentiousness

pretermission

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“Pretentiousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretentiousness. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of pretentiousness

noun

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