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
Seen as affable and unpretentious, Omella lives humbly in the same way Pope Francis did, promoting social justice and advocating for a more compassionate and inclusive church.
—
Jorge L. Ortiz, USA Today, 6 May 2025
National Today Regardless of its true origin, the Sloppy Joe gained widespread popularity in the United States, becoming a symbol of comfort food known for its flavorful and unpretentious nature.
—Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025
Even before Criterion started filming these visits, Becker suspected these unpretentious salutes to cinephilia (and physical media) would make an impression.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025
With his exaggeratedly small glasses and receding, light-brown hair, Clement, who is fifty-eight, has the mild, unpretentious air of your favorite high-school English teacher.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unpretentious
Jorge L. Ortiz, USA Today, 6 May 2025
National Today Regardless of its true origin, the Sloppy Joe gained widespread popularity in the United States, becoming a symbol of comfort food known for its flavorful and unpretentious nature.
—Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025
Even before Criterion started filming these visits, Becker suspected these unpretentious salutes to cinephilia (and physical media) would make an impression.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025
With his exaggeratedly small glasses and receding, light-brown hair, Clement, who is fifty-eight, has the mild, unpretentious air of your favorite high-school English teacher.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unpretentious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unpretentious
Adjective
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During the two-and-a-half years when one of the four tubes will be shut to train traffic, the current LIRR and Amtrak schedules — both of which were slightly reduced as of November in anticipation of the shutdown — should, in theory, be unaffected.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
22 May 2025
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In addition, although students with high SAT scores were largely unaffected by course shutouts, students with low SAT scores experienced more negative effects, particularly a lower likelihood of declaring a STEM major.—
Michael T. Nietzel,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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The drama division had been relatively quiet for a period but suddenly found its stride in the past year with a string of buzzy commissions that will now mostly air under new leadership.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
3 June 2025
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As romantic distractions fall away, the quiet also makes way for freedom.—
Faith Hill,
The Atlantic,
2 June 2025
Adjective
-
Improbably located right across the street from their humble abode is the upscale manse inhabited by the Falconers, a rich couple (Katherine Waterson, Chris Klein) who’ve raised only child Tiffany (Fina Strazza) to be a particularly stinging WASP.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
23 May 2025
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Each pits a young heroine of humble means against the formidable, possibly sinister lady of the estate; this time, that quintessential Nicole Kidman role is played by a serenely terrifying Julianne Moore.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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That genuine moment became a symbol of love, sacrifice and something deeper — breaking generational cycles.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
30 May 2025
-
Samantha seems to have genuine chemistry with Chivon, but his sister Adeena (Sundra Oakley) is not thrilled about the relationship and confronts Samantha about it.—
Melissa Locker,
Time,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
There was something hauntingly beautiful about them—soft, muted, delicate.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 May 2025
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The layered but muted colors express the fog of dizziness that can transform a modest family living room into a dreamlike space.—
Elly Fishman,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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According to the latest report from L.A.’s film office, production days on location decreased more than 22 percent in the first quarter of 2025 compared with an already meek period in 2024.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
2 May 2025
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Democrats, unable either to diagnose or to admit to their own failings, measured their victories in the meekest of triumphs, and seemed to have lost all sense of purpose, direction, and proportion.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Trevon Williams, who did not escape from the New Orleans jail, was charged with 10 counts of being a principal to simple escape, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced on May 23.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
25 May 2025
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As artificial intelligence models grow increasingly sophisticated, their capabilities extend far beyond simple task execution.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
Adjective
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While other noteworthy anniversaries of momentous events that have shaped the nation have often inspired documentaries and prime-time specials hosted by top news personalities, many TV news outlets are treating the Floyd anniversary with a more subdued tone.—
Greg Braxton,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2025
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Steel prices in the U.S. have witnessed a declining trend due to subdued demand in the domestic market with weak manufacturing activities.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes,
20 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Unpretentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unpretentious. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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