pre·ten·sion
pri-ˈten(t)-shən 
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
pre·ten·sion
ˌprē-ˈten(t)-shən
pretensioned; pretensioning; 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
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
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
Cite this Entry
“Pretension.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pretension. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share