1
as in unaffected
free from any intent to deceive or impress others
a simple and unpretentious account about growing up in the rural South
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in quiet
not excessively showy
lives in a rather unpretentious house for someone so wealthy
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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Recent Examples of unpretentious
For Rosenthal, a haimish service style — that’s Yiddish for cozily unpretentious — is crucial to the venture.
—
Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 22 Sep. 2025
Her natural and melodious style, so swift and unpretentious, bears death and danger on its wings.
—Rachel Cusk, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2025
The stylish but unpretentious haunt was a 2023 James Beard Award semifinalist in the Outstanding Hospitality category.
—Shauna Farnell, Denver Post, 15 Aug. 2025
The gallery was known for its unpretentious atmosphere and for bringing attention to cutting-edge artists in the early stages of their careers, including Harold Ancart, Korakrit Arunanondchai, Huma Bhabha, Meriem Bennani, and Lili Reynaud-Dewar.
—News Desk, Artforum, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unpretentious
Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 22 Sep. 2025
Her natural and melodious style, so swift and unpretentious, bears death and danger on its wings.
—Rachel Cusk, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2025
The stylish but unpretentious haunt was a 2023 James Beard Award semifinalist in the Outstanding Hospitality category.
—Shauna Farnell, Denver Post, 15 Aug. 2025
The gallery was known for its unpretentious atmosphere and for bringing attention to cutting-edge artists in the early stages of their careers, including Harold Ancart, Korakrit Arunanondchai, Huma Bhabha, Meriem Bennani, and Lili Reynaud-Dewar.
—News Desk, Artforum, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unpretentious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unpretentious
Adjective
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Yet even these entities will adapt, either by exploiting visa loopholes, relying more heavily on student-to-H-1B conversions, or shifting toward the L-1 visa category, which remains unaffected by the new fee.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
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Lawmakers also expressed concerns that the federal government might not backfill dollars if the state steps into the void to ensure SNAP benefits remain unaffected during the shutdown.—
Nushrat Rahman,
Freep.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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With stunning celerity, possibility becomes probability and then certainty, as readers reject the quiet, circuitous, and unglamorous narratives of prudential compromise, ambiguous diplomacy, or incremental progress.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Still, this isn’t about contemplation or quiet reflection.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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From humble beginnings of small-scale personal gardens, the company has since evolved to managing large-scale estates.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
28 Oct. 2025
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In The Furious, when his daughter Rainy is abducted, humble tradesman Wang Wei is thrust into a deadly underworld of corruption and violence.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The new currency is content, education and genuine engagement.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
28 Oct. 2025
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Employees should use those channels first and consider a public callout only as a genuine last resort.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr,
USA Today,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
It was all suitably muted and understated.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
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BeCalm is full of smart little touches that make life easier — think hidden pockets for your phone, buttery-soft fabrics that never cling, and muted tones that actually make getting dressed feel calming.—
Katie Ann Lehman,
StyleCaster,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Tessa Thompson stars as the willful heroine, married to a rather meek academic, George Tesman (Tom Bateman), who’s angling for an important university position.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
22 Oct. 2025
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Employment growth is meek, but the labor market is holding steady.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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While House Republicans can pass legislation with a simple majority vote, Senate Republicans cannot advance most matters without meeting a 60-vote threshold.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Oct. 2025
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But in stoppage time, Miami was gifted a third goal when Jordi Alba crossed from the left and keeper Willis, colliding with defender Walker Zimmerman, spilled the ball right to Messi, who had the simplest of tap-ins.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Fernandez decorated the home’s interiors with a warm, subdued palette to give the place a serene family-friendly vibe.—
Katie Schultz,
Architectural Digest,
24 Oct. 2025
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Our second club gig was much more subdued.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unpretentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unpretentious. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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