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
To arrive at this integration, however, he must be stripped, like Voss, of his own pretensions and the schisms within his self.
—
Ben Woollard, JSTOR Daily, 4 Dec. 2024
Know your audience, an excitable kind of reader informs the author of a piece that fails to flatter his pretensions or reinforce her most uncharitable assumptions about her political opponents.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 20 Nov. 2024
Yes, there’s a lot of cheap, pandering garbage, but that’s true on major streaming services, too, and Tubi has no pretensions to awards qualifications or pop-culture relevance.
—Josh Bell, Vulture, 27 June 2024
But if the West keeps its nerve, sanctions can help end Putin’s imperial pretensions once and for all.
—Edward Fishman, Foreign Affairs, 23 Feb. 2023
See all Example Sentences for pretension 
Ben Woollard, JSTOR Daily, 4 Dec. 2024
Know your audience, an excitable kind of reader informs the author of a piece that fails to flatter his pretensions or reinforce her most uncharitable assumptions about her political opponents.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 20 Nov. 2024
Yes, there’s a lot of cheap, pandering garbage, but that’s true on major streaming services, too, and Tubi has no pretensions to awards qualifications or pop-culture relevance.
—Josh Bell, Vulture, 27 June 2024
But if the West keeps its nerve, sanctions can help end Putin’s imperial pretensions once and for all.
—Edward Fishman, Foreign Affairs, 23 Feb. 2023
See all Example Sentences for pretension
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretension
Noun
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Taking inspiration from Iran’s Woman Life Freedom protests, the film revolves around a devout man who is promoted to the position of investigating judge at the Revolutionary Court in Tehran, just as his daughters become swept up in the pro-equal rights and democracy movement.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
30 Jan. 2025
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Much of this represents the culmination of a fight that the conservative right began years ago as part of its culture wars.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
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All of which meant that when economists gathered in San Francisco this month for the annual meeting of the American Economic Association, there was a sense that their famous confidence — critics would say arrogance — had been, if not shattered, certainly dealt a body blow.—
Ben Casselman,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2025
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Relevant reality skills: Rob, while deadly charming, has always played Survivor by putting his confidence (some would say cockiness) and expertise (some would say arrogance) on full display.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
6 Jan. 2025
Noun
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In the beginning of the series, which starts in the 1950s and goes through the AIDS epidemic, Tim is still boyish, and his affinity for milk is just another cute affectation that catches Hawk’s eye.—
Allison P. Davis,
Vulture,
27 Dec. 2024
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In the 2010s, baking sourdough bread at home went from quirky, hippie affectation to a serious hobby.—
Meghan McCarron,
New York Times,
24 Dec. 2024
Noun
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However, TVLine may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.—
Claire Franken,
TVLine,
2 Feb. 2025
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Cicero, including the Police Department, does not provide facilities for federal immigration agents for the purpose of enforcing federal immigration laws. Cicero, including the Police Department, does not maintain or record information about residents’ citizenship, immigration or residency status.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Feb. 2025
Noun
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That sense of superiority, while warranted, has been a problem for Tomás and his family in the past.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
24 Jan. 2025
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Armstrong even noted bitcoin’s superiority over gold regarding divisibility and portability.—
Becca Bratcher,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Popular on Variety Craig Sweeny’s screenplay strikes a frequently arch posture to accommodate this trickster protagonist, which undermines any pretense of seriousness elsewhere.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
25 Jan. 2025
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To suggest that gimmickry somehow cancels a film’s worthiness plays into the nonsensical pretenses of awards season.—
Armond White,
National Review,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The goal is to continue developing this brand throughout 2025.—
Jessica Roiz,
Billboard,
25 Jan. 2025
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After a review, the refs ruled there was no interference and the goal beat the clock.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
25 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The Guardian Australia reported that his role had been significantly reduced in scope following the appointment of new ABC Chair Kim Williams, who removed his radio and digital responsibilities and reportedly has different ideas about documentary output.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
23 Jan. 2025
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As shown in the small bedroom ideas above, other great uses of vertical space include wall sconces, bunk beds, and loft areas.—
Rachel Davies,
Architectural Digest,
23 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near pretension
Cite this Entry
“Pretension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretension. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
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