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
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.
Recent Examples of pretension
Such pretensions on the part of the mega-rich aren’t new; Lowell reminds us of that.
—
Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
New Yorkers particularly resent Washington’s pretensions.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 12 Aug. 2025
Each space differs, but the owners and creators prioritize community and inclusivity over exclusivity and pretension.
—Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025
Pasta lovers, diners craving a lack of pretension in Wynwood
What to order: Like its straightforward name suggests, the star here is homemade pasta in various simple but delectable forms.
—Constance Ogle, Miami Herald, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretension
Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
New Yorkers particularly resent Washington’s pretensions.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 12 Aug. 2025
Each space differs, but the owners and creators prioritize community and inclusivity over exclusivity and pretension.
—Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025
Pasta lovers, diners craving a lack of pretension in Wynwood
What to order: Like its straightforward name suggests, the star here is homemade pasta in various simple but delectable forms.
—Constance Ogle, Miami Herald, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretension
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretension
Noun
-
State statute also makes clear that a witness doesn’t have a right to have an attorney with them.—
Romy Ellenbogen,
Miami Herald,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Previously, OpenAI alone could decide when AGI had been reached, which was seen as a possible leverage point to end or change Microsoft’s rights under their partnership.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This propensity for mental acrobatics, alongside his immense arrogance, was how Epstein rationalized his crimes to himself.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Using him comes across as arrogance.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But Lloyd’s awkward staging here and questionable affectations (including an audience clap-along) makes Pozzo’s relationship with Lucky unfocused and puzzling.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
29 Sep. 2025
-
The band sets aside the winks and retro affectations for something unadorned and honest.—
Sarah Grant,
Rolling Stone,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Swets, who has expertise with special-purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), formed Greenland Exploration with his investment and merchant banking firm, FG Nexus, and agreed to merge with March GL and find a suitable SPAC to take the company public.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Sea lines of communication, or SLOCs, are the principal maritime routes between ports used for trade, military or other purposes.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Europeans, including Las Casas initially, claimed superiority as Christians, as most of the Africans Europeans encountered were either Muslim or animist.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Their innovation is to replace the demagogue’s roar with the bureaucrat’s moral superiority.—
Alexis Coe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Workers in the scam compounds are often trafficked from third countries, usually under the pretense of a lucrative job offer, and then forced to scam people online with investment pitches or romantic ploys.—
Mithil Aggarwal,
NBC news,
23 Oct. 2025
-
All of Beaton’s extravagance, artifice and pretence stemmed from him trying to become something he was never born into.—
Hikmat Mohammed,
Footwear News,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Whether your goal is to work in government, the private sector, or a nonprofit organization, our curriculum prepares you for diverse roles such as intelligence analyst, foreign service officer, military analyst, or special agent.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
-
But recent reports show that goal is nowhere near.—
Matthew Tostevin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The shareholder meetings give the youngest Browns in the sixth and seventh generations, and their distant cousins, a chance to meet and bounce ideas off one another.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
26 Oct. 2025
-
My idea was to do a little ‘maison,’ and to offer a look at what’s behind the brand.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pretension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretension. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share