PRETENTIOUS Synonyms: 171 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'pretentious' different from other adjectives like it?

The words ostentatious and showy are common synonyms of pretentious . While all three words mean "given to excessive outward display," pretentious implies an appearance of importance not justified by the thing's value or the person's standing. // a pretentious parade of hard words

Q: When might 'ostentatious' be a better fit than 'pretentious'?

In some situations, the words ostentatious and pretentious are roughly equivalent. However, ostentatious stresses vainglorious display or parade. // the ostentatious summer homes of the rich

Q: When is it sensible to use 'showy' instead of 'pretentious'?

The words showy and pretentious can be used in similar contexts, but showy implies an imposing or striking appearance but usually suggests cheapness or poor taste. // the performers' showy costumes

pretentious

adjective

pri-ˈten(t)-shəs

Definition of pretentious next

as in arrogant

self-consciously trying to present an appearance of grandeur or importance that pretentious couple always serves caviar at their parties, even though they themselves dislike it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in superior

having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude a pretentious author whose books only appeal to equally pretentious readers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word pretentious different from other adjectives like it?

The words ostentatious and showy are common synonyms of pretentious. While all three words mean "given to excessive outward display," pretentious implies an appearance of importance not justified by the thing's value or the person's standing.

a pretentious parade of hard words

When might ostentatious be a better fit than pretentious?

In some situations, the words ostentatious and pretentious are roughly equivalent. However, ostentatious stresses vainglorious display or parade.

the ostentatious summer homes of the rich

When is it sensible to use showy instead of pretentious?

The words showy and pretentious can be used in similar contexts, but showy implies an imposing or striking appearance but usually suggests cheapness or poor taste.

the performers' showy costumes

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 pretentious Like David, Danson appeared as a pretentious and smug version of himself on the beloved series. —

Esther Kang, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024 Season one is a smutty yet wonderful crescendo of self-destruction driven by a cast of characters that includes Fleabag’s intensely awkward sister Claire (Sian Clifford), her selfish and pretentious stepmother (Olivia Colman), and her clueless father (Bill Paterson). —

Matt Kamen, WIRED, 30 Nov. 2024 With a gleaming library, a high-tech theater with seating wrapped around its stage, and the Grand Dutch Café bringing a bit of that Netherlands feel, Rotterdam is sophisticated without being pretentious. —

David Swanson, Travel + Leisure, 14 Dec. 2024 Despite having the world’s most extensive collection of Napa Valley wine — the list is more than 170 pages long — there is nothing pretentious about Press. —

Katie Sweeney, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pretentious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretentious

Adjective

Julie Bowen and Christopher McDonald return as love interest Virginia Venit and arrogant rival Shooter McGavin, respectively, and the cast includes rookies like Bad Bunny, Travis Kelce and pro wrestler Maxwell Jacob Friedman.

— Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
Those include genial second-year resident Dr. King (Taylor Dearden), arrogant intern Santos (Isa Briones), and doe-eyed med students Javadi (Shabana Azeez) and Whittaker (Gerran Howell).

— Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 9 Jan. 2025