unpretentious

adjective

ˌən-pri-ˈten(t)-shəs How to pronounce unpretentious (audio)
Definition of unpretentiousnext
1
as in genuine
free from any intent to deceive or impress others a simple and unpretentious account about growing up in the rural South

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in quiet
not excessively showy lives in a rather unpretentious house for someone so wealthy

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in humble
not having or showing any feelings of superiority, self-assertiveness, or showiness the unpretentious disposition of an award-winning scientist who has nothing to prove to anyone

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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 unpretentious The resort has a refreshingly unpretentious vibe, and now oddly-endearing late-80s aesthetic from when it was first designed and built. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026 Clad in a sleeveless bright green dress, Anderson, 57, radiates an ageless grace, undeniably sophisticated yet unpretentious in her demeanor. — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026 The downtown store regularly hosts Japanese tailors for trunk shows, and its unpretentious staff warmly guides customers through suits from a house line made by Ring Jacket. — New York Times, 31 July 2026 Few places exemplify the town’s unpretentious charm better than Gilhooley’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar. — Gabi De La Rosa, Southern Living, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for unpretentious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unpretentious
  1. genuine
  2. quiet
  3. humble
  4. unaffected
  5. muted
  6. meek
  7. honest
  8. subdued
Adjective
  • And Steward’s emphasis on cultivating a genuine connection to his players fit naturally with the culture Chesney vowed to instill in Westwood.
    — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Companies have achieved genuine breakthroughs in locomotion, perception and manipulation.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of genuine
Adjective
  • With the whizbang action long in the series’ rearview, this quiet road trip proves its emotional centerpiece, as Noah confesses both his true nature and his desire to be better — the conflict of his programming.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • As the market tries to keep the momentum going, a quiet calendar of earnings and economic reports awaits in the week ahead.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of quiet
Adjective
  • All the joy and buzzing activity arose from humble beginnings.
    — Jenelle Riley, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
  • It is inspired by the true story of the world’s first celebrity chef, Antonin Carême (Voisin), who rose from humble beginnings in Paris to the height of culinary stardom in Napoleon’s Europe.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of humble
Adjective
  • Yet with the relentless Ukrainian drone strikes – including the biggest wave ever launched against the Moscow region as voting took place this weekend – the Kremlin has been at pains to reassure Russians that life goes on largely unaffected.
    — Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Areas once largely unaffected are increasingly reporting infections, reflecting a gradual expansion of the virus across the country.
    — Giada Zampano, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of unaffected
Adjective
  • Related Articles Echoes of Weyant’s paintings of women in muted tones can be seen throughout the interior of her now-for-sale apartment.
    — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Oil prices are lower, the bond market is stable, and yet the major stock averages are having a muted day.
    — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of muted
Adjective
  • The visitors were meek and the poorest performers of the four opponents, but how much of that is down to the way Leeds played?
    — Beren Cross, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Moore plays Mona Friedman, a meek housewife who hasn’t sung in front of anyone since church choir and is unexpectedly cast in a community-theater production — then transforms into a zealous method actor willing to wage war over a marginal role.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of meek
Adjective
  • Ask each business owner to absorb the run-rate at renewal, and the honest answer arrives faster than any dashboard.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Each episode, the brutally honest Ramsay comes in to help the struggling restaurant fix its problems or its negative image, and in turn the restaurants get publicity from being on a national television show.
    — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of honest
Adjective
  • In one voting center in Sao Paulo, the energy was more subdued than four years ago, when Lula beat the senator’s father, former President Jair Bolsonaro.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026
  • There are plenty of layers and body, but the bangs are slightly more subdued than a traditional shag.
    — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of subdued

Browse Nearby Words

unpretending
unpretentious
unpretentiously
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Cite this Entry

“Unpretentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unpretentious. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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