pretension

1 of 2

noun

pre·​ten·​sion pri-ˈten(t)-shən How to pronounce pretension (audio)
1
: an allegation of doubtful value : pretext
2
: a claim or an effort to establish a claim
3
: a claim or right to attention or honor because of merit
4
: an aspiration or intention that may or may not reach fulfillment
has serious literary pretensions
5
pretensionless adjective

pretension

2 of 2

verb

pre·​ten·​sion ˌprē-ˈten(t)-shən How to pronounce pretension (audio)
pretensioned; pretensioning; pretensions
Choose the Right Synonym for pretension

ambition, aspiration, pretension mean strong desire for advancement.

ambition applies to the desire for personal advancement or preferment and may suggest equally a praiseworthy or an inordinate desire.

driven by ambition

aspiration implies a striving after something higher than oneself.

an aspiration to become president someday

pretension suggests ardent desire for recognition of accomplishment often without actual possession of the necessary ability and therefore may imply presumption.

has literary pretensions

Examples of pretension in a Sentence

Noun He spoke about his achievements without pretension. I admire his honesty and lack of pretension. The restaurant offers excellent food without pretension.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
And often next to Ed, holding a single malt, there would be an unsmiling writer of great pretension looking down at you from a great height. Gary Shteyngart, The Atlantic, 4 June 2025 Many of the early bands’ sound had a preciseness to it and a simultaneous lack of pretension. Nate Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025 With notes and descriptions similar to the pretension of fine wine, luxury brands take fragrance very seriously. Tanya Akim, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 Nothing will knock the pretension out of you faster than having to go cover the sewage board hearing and having to type the school lunch menus. Samantha Dunn, Oc Register, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pretension

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Late Latin praetensiōn-, praetensiō "action of pretending, deceiving" (Medieval Latin, "allegation, assertion"), from Latin praetendere "to hold or stretch out, put forward as a pretext" +-tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at pretend entry 1

Verb

pre- + tension entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1936, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pretension was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pretension.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pretension. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

pretension

noun
pre·​ten·​sion
pri-ˈten-chən
1
2
: something one hopes to reach : aspiration, ambition
has serious pretensions as a writer
3

More from Merriam-Webster on pretension

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!