1
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pretentious
Just a five-minute drive from its glitzy neighbor, this historic chalet village offers a more intimate refuge, allowing visitors to savor the region’s timeless charms without any pretentious frills.
—
Monica Mendal, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2025
Many fans understand the phrase to be about a pretentious movie.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 21 Jan. 2025
The vineyard's setting, with its panoramic views of the valley, creates an atmosphere of exclusive luxury that never feels pretentious.
—Shelby Knick, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
Mark pulled his sister Devon (Jen Tullock) aside at a party for his pretentious brother-in-law Ricken (Michael Chernus).
—Judy Berman, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretentious
Monica Mendal, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2025
Many fans understand the phrase to be about a pretentious movie.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 21 Jan. 2025
The vineyard's setting, with its panoramic views of the valley, creates an atmosphere of exclusive luxury that never feels pretentious.
—Shelby Knick, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
Mark pulled his sister Devon (Jen Tullock) aside at a party for his pretentious brother-in-law Ricken (Michael Chernus).
—Judy Berman, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretentious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretentious
Adjective
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According to Packer, several surefire ways to ensure success start here: Be arrogant!—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
17 Feb. 2025
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In 1254, King Edward I and Queen Eleanor of Castile were married at a very young age, and although Edward had a reputation for being arrogant and quarrelsome, the pair eventually fell deeply in love.—
Gulnaz Khan,
AFAR Media,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The whole lot of them join forces to stop Thor’s (Chris Hemsworth) pompous brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston) — with an alien race called the Chitauri at his command — from conquering the planet.—
Will Harris,
EW.com,
14 Feb. 2025
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Against the devoted coalition of evangelical Christians, neocons, pompous billionaires and MAGA Republicans who now dominate the other side of the aisle, this prevaricating has failed to muster enthusiasm for the Democratic Party or much of the industry’s own product.—
Matt Brennan,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Some developers replaced country homes with ostentatious mansions that look out of place.—
Heather Knight,
New York Times,
19 Jan. 2025
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Back in the 1970s, recalls a writer who grew up there, Malibu was a more relaxed and less ostentatious place.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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These moments work, but as a whole, the album buckles under the weight of its creator’s grandiose vision.—
Matthew Ismael Ruiz,
Vulture,
12 Feb. 2025
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These early recordings presented a nihilistic and drug-addled world view, and a bracing reimagination of R. & B. Tesfaye eventually stepped out from the shadows, and as his star grew his aesthetic and narrative ambitions became more grandiose.—
Carrie Battan,
The New Yorker,
5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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But those awards joined wins for shows and performers who never had a shot with the more high-minded Emmys.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
6 Jan. 2025
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Nehru’s patriotism was the high-minded vision of a Cambridge graduate who hoped to set India on a unique path—benignly secular and socialist, proudly nonaligned in the binary world of the Cold War.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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As proud Illinoisans, we were honored to showcase to our Washington colleagues what Midwest sensibility can achieve, and our visits to Project HOOD and Pacific Garden served as a reminder to us all how our civic duty affects real individuals and families.—
Danny K. Davis,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2025
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His proud display of his mug shot is just the latest example of his disregard for political norms.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
20 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to pretentious
Cite this Entry
“Pretentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretentious. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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