1
2
as in arrogance
an exaggerated sense of one's importance that shows itself in the making of excessive or unjustified claims
a woman full of pretension and pompousness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in affectation
the quality or state of appearing or trying to appear more important or more valuable than is the case
the pretension of that French restaurant is more than I can bear
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in purpose
something that one hopes or intends to accomplish
has serious pretensions of becoming a writer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pretension
Even Saanen’s most renowned, high-end establishments remain low-key and devoid of pretension, like 16 ART-BAR-RESTAURANT, credited by Michelin as Bib Gourmand for an experience and culinary offering that is both high quality and good value.
—
Monica Mendal, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2025
This was the night that any pretensions over Arsenal possessing the requisite firepower to compete on four fronts were put to bed.
—Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
There were no pretensions of showmanship, no displays of braggadocio — just the hollow ringing of palms on goatskin.
—Taran Dugal, Rolling Stone, 16 Dec. 2024
The car comes equipped with the standard sensor suite for cars with pretensions to urban autonomy: lidars on the roof and around the front bumper, and radar and cameras just about everywhere else.
—IEEE Spectrum, 29 Dec. 2016
See All Example Sentences for pretension
Monica Mendal, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2025
This was the night that any pretensions over Arsenal possessing the requisite firepower to compete on four fronts were put to bed.
—Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
There were no pretensions of showmanship, no displays of braggadocio — just the hollow ringing of palms on goatskin.
—Taran Dugal, Rolling Stone, 16 Dec. 2024
The car comes equipped with the standard sensor suite for cars with pretensions to urban autonomy: lidars on the roof and around the front bumper, and radar and cameras just about everywhere else.
—IEEE Spectrum, 29 Dec. 2016
See All Example Sentences for pretension
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretension
Noun
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By retaining Smith despite a timetable that has him out the balance of the season and beyond, the Heat retained the right to therefore match outside offers in free agency, provided a qualifying offer is put in place by that June deadline.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2025
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Noboa has sought to crack down on Ecuador’s spiraling security crisis since becoming president in 2023, declaring several states of emergency and designating 22 criminal organizations as terrorist groups, moves that have prompted criticism from some rights groups domestically and abroad.—
Ana Maria Canizares,
CNN,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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But what unfolded in the White House on Friday was a striking departure—an unprecedented display of hostility, arrogance, and political theater that raises serious concerns about America's global leadership.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
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Reportedly, Tulip mastermind Charles Hegel (played with perfect measure of condescending arrogance by Josh Brener) has died in Kenya, and took with him all the necessary passwords needed to access the accounts of his many investors.—
Joe Leydon,
Variety,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Slumming with her sister in San Francisco after her life with her Madoff-like ex in New York implodes, Jasmine Francis isn't quite willing to let go of the affectations that come with living in high society.—
EW Staff,
EW.com,
2 Mar. 2025
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Unlike Chase, Aykroyd worked hard to retain Carter’s affectations and appearance, while also adding a slyness that implied a deeper calculation.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Witkoff also confirmed on Monday that the U.S. did not stop sharing intelligence related to defensive purposes with Ukraine.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
10 Mar. 2025
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Holland boasts striking advancements in the director’s style and committed performances from Kidman, Macfadyen and Bernal, but these qualities can’t quite save a narrative fundamentally confused about its purpose.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This condition is what philosopher Charles Mills, speaking of the American context, labeled epistemological ignorance—a deliberate unknowing, an insistence on the myth of white superiority, of white exceptionalism.—
Christine Winter,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2025
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And so Tyla’s comments were also taken as an insinuation of superiority over Black people.—
Funmi Fetto,
Vogue,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Washington under the pretense of negotiating a peace deal.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
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But in the media-state singularity, there is not even the pretense of space between the two worlds.—
Ali Breland,
The Atlantic,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The Climate Policy Council states that Germany is about to miss both national goals and the EU 2030 requirements, which means that new policies must be implemented quickly.—
Mattias Goldmann,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
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These three countries host large deposits of several minerals critical to the U.S., for America's economic and geopolitical goals.—
John Feng,
Newsweek,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This is about helping people feel ownership of ideas, and motivating them to move forward.—
Scott Mautz, Contributor,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2025
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Chip and Joanna Gaines seem to have different ideas of fun at amusement parks!—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretension. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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