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
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
Los Callejones, may be nestled in the Fashion District but the place has its own DNA, unpretentious with its kaleidoscope of items to buy, from scented oils to lingerie to work uniforms.
—
Lilliam Rivera, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Smiljan Radić Clarke, a Chilean architect known for unpretentious yet beguiling buildings, has been named the winner of the 2026 Pritzker Architecture Prize, the field’s top honor.
—Kriston Capps, Bloomberg, 12 Mar. 2026
The club’s fortunes have been transformed over the five years since, but even with A-list celebrities in the stands, lending an air of celebrity that seems at odds with this unpretentious North Wales town, a sense of earthiness endures.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Everything about Twisted Teens’ musical demeanor is casual and unpretentious.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unpretentious
Lilliam Rivera, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Smiljan Radić Clarke, a Chilean architect known for unpretentious yet beguiling buildings, has been named the winner of the 2026 Pritzker Architecture Prize, the field’s top honor.
—Kriston Capps, Bloomberg, 12 Mar. 2026
The club’s fortunes have been transformed over the five years since, but even with A-list celebrities in the stands, lending an air of celebrity that seems at odds with this unpretentious North Wales town, a sense of earthiness endures.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Everything about Twisted Teens’ musical demeanor is casual and unpretentious.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unpretentious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unpretentious
Adjective
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The sterling silver and gold vermeil versions use cubic zirconia, while the 14-karat gold one is made with genuine diamonds.—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The handles are weighted and ergonomic without being bulky, and the heads are thin enough to actually get under food—like a delicate omelet—which is a genuine problem with thicker silicone spatulas.—
Jamie Thilman,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Sources later confirmed to PEOPLE that Prince had a quiet history of using the prescription painkiller Percocet.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
-
After a mostly quiet game, Alexander-Walker had a critical steal late as the Hawks completed their stunning rally.—
Darnell Mayberry,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
During the Depression, smart cooks came up with a way to make a delicious, family-friendly dessert that required the most humble ingredients.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Peas are a humble ingredient that packs a punch.—
Lizzy Briskin,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The original Hooley’s location at 2955 Jamacha Road in El Cajon is unaffected by the closure of its Grossmont restaurant.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Some flights to the Middle East have been rerouted, and service to select destinations in or near the conflict zone has been curtailed, but domestic flights and those to popular international tourist destinations in Europe, Asia, Latin America and Oceania are largely unaffected.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Hathaway's long brown hair cascaded past her waist, while her makeup consisted of rosy blush and a muted pink lip.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Magaletti ventures a tentative introduction of brushes on snares; following the muted peal of distant thunder, upsammy chimes in with a plangent synthesizer sequence reminiscent of Arovane and other IDM producers from around the turn of the millennium.—
Philip Sherburne,
Pitchfork,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That included a meek loss in Toronto, with Murray not participating on the second night of a back-to-back following a blowout loss at Detroit.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The other, meek and mild-mannered.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
With the intuitive Moon in your sign, your 1st House of Perception asks for honest self-expression without overthinking.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2026
-
More astute attention to character development, and more honest portrayals of how most of us really live.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
After the vibrant color palette of the 1980s, the 1990s ushered in a more subdued vibe, with dusty mauves, cool teals, and grayish pastels dominating everything from walls to upholstery.—
Sophie Flaxman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Apr. 2026
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Here, the spa is much smaller and more subdued in design, although the same treatments are offered.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unpretentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unpretentious. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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