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
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
The atmosphere is also lovely and unpretentious.
—
Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 6 Feb. 2026
At Naïve Kitchen + Bar, Latin flavors meet Kentucky sensibility in a menu that’s vibrant, ingredient-driven, and refreshingly unpretentious.
—Hannah Howard, Travel + Leisure, 16 Jan. 2026
The Aussie trio’s rowdy rants, unpretentious attitudes and pub accents come across as the hyperactive equivalent of chasing a can of Red Bull with a round of Malort shots.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
The Bolt had both its fans and detractors; the unpretentious crossover won over motorists for its range and simplicity at an appealing price.
—Morgan Korn, ABC News, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unpretentious
Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 6 Feb. 2026
At Naïve Kitchen + Bar, Latin flavors meet Kentucky sensibility in a menu that’s vibrant, ingredient-driven, and refreshingly unpretentious.
—Hannah Howard, Travel + Leisure, 16 Jan. 2026
The Aussie trio’s rowdy rants, unpretentious attitudes and pub accents come across as the hyperactive equivalent of chasing a can of Red Bull with a round of Malort shots.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
The Bolt had both its fans and detractors; the unpretentious crossover won over motorists for its range and simplicity at an appealing price.
—Morgan Korn, ABC News, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unpretentious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unpretentious
Adjective
-
Krejci’s expression as referee Tom Kirk brandished the red card looked like one of genuine bewilderment.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
-
There was genuine excitement among students and founders.—
The AI Insider,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The loafer mule emerged as a quiet breakout this season after a decade-and change of laying dormant, with Bottega Veneta, Victoria Beckham, Calvin Klein, and Celine all incorporating versions of the silhouette on their spring runways.—
Minty Mellon,
Vogue,
23 Feb. 2026
-
More than 100,000 fans descended on more than 800 hobby shops across 25 countries, turning what used to be a quiet Saturday ritual into something closer to a championship parade.—
Andy Scholes,
CNN Money,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Oseguera is said to have begun his storied career in humble fashion, as a small-time drug dealer in California.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
-
In the right hands, even the humblest city EV can become an unhinged, albeit highly entertaining, tire-shredding science experiment.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This survival strategy has, coincidentally, resulted in some strains of bacteria being unaffected by certain antibiotics, drugs that trace their origins to natural compounds.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The westbound lanes are unaffected.—
Michelle Cruz,
AZCentral.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
At first glance, Ayón’s moody figurations and dark, muted colors feel a world away from Alfonzo’s energetic and bold abstract scenes.—
Douglas Markowitz,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
-
And yet the share price action (which has been unexciting as of late vs others in the space) remained relatively muted in the aftermarket.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
At the film’s center is Seyo Kim (Chen Emilie Yan), a meek state lawyer looking to make a difference, but who accepts, with begrudging sighs, her department’s 80% rate of dropping hate crime prosecutions as just another part of the job.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Tushtu, the meekest, frailest of the chanters, trailing at the back, stopped to turn towards Charu with a sly grin.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
An honest basketball coach without a real playbook.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Clear, calm boundaries and honest talks can protect your peace while keeping family bonds strong.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Asia and the Americas drove the growth, while EMEA was weaker, still affected by subdued traffic.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The uncharacteristically slow run in the women’s combined left her mystified and subdued.—
Will Graves,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unpretentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unpretentious. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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