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as in humble
not having or showing any feelings of superiority, self-assertiveness, or showiness the unpretentious disposition of an award-winning scientist who has nothing to prove to anyone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Examples 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 unpretentious His manner was earnest and thoughtful, but not without political subtext: His campaign, after all, was based on a theme of authenticity, a promise to run a trustworthy and unpretentious government. James Poniewozik, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024 With three miles of beaches, the island offers a refreshing and unpretentious getaway. Judy Garrison, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2024 Though the vibe may not be as over-the-top, this bar won our heart with its coziness and friendly, unpretentious vibe and outstanding service. Bahar Anooshahr, The Arizona Republic, 17 Dec. 2024 Ready to let her hair down and rock out, the unpretentious singer-songwriter broadcast salient messages of self-empowerment and personal freedom through the equivalent of a giant megaphone. Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 12 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for unpretentious 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unpretentious
Adjective
  • Sundance is rolling towards us and so far our packaging has been unaffected.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Sound bake-offs in the Bay Area, New York and London are unaffected, while hair and makeup and visual effects bake-offs will be replaced with virtual discussions.
    Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Japanese writers, too, have long discussed the meditative nature of cleaning, seeing it as an opportunity for quiet introspection.
    Ana Morales, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Finns are quiet and reserved compared to, well, Americans.
    Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The Bunny Museum began as a humble endeavor back in 1998.
    Maxwell Williams, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Listen to this article Loading your audio article All five past, present and future presidents gathered Thursday at an inspirational state funeral for Jimmy Carter, the famously folksy peanut farmer who rose from humble beginnings in rural Georgia to become the 39th commander-in-chief.
    Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Birmingham, Alabama, home with a sense of genuine, collected warmth.
    Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 2025
  • The information the source supplies must be newsworthy and give readers genuine insight.
    Maria Abi-Habib, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Since Election Day, there has been a muted—but nearly universal—grumbling about Biden’s choices, mostly since the 2022 midterms that saw Democrats fare better than expected, building up the party’s hope in holding on to the White House in 2024.
    Philip Elliott, TIME, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Contemporary yet refined, this hotel offers 104 rooms, each with a muted palette of blues, tans, and oranges, and plenty of communal spaces to get a taste of the city’s vibrant culture.
    Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • He was supposed to be a meek guy who doesn’t speak up.
    Josh Weiss, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
  • Gary starts the film as a meek, somewhat nerdy college professor, but circumstances quickly force him into the uncomfortable position of becoming an undercover police informant.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • My top answer is a simple and no-brainer recommendation: Wash your hands with soap and water.
    Amanda Schupak, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Keep your indoor money tree healthy and lush with these simple pruning tips.
    Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Wall Street is rallying Friday after a subdued start to 2025 in the prior session.
    Paulina Likos, CNBC, 3 Jan. 2025
  • Less than two weeks after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, an Army-Navy football game played in front of a crowd of 102,000 spectators at Philadelphia’s Municipal Stadium on December 7, 1963, might have been a subdued and somber affair.
    Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near unpretentious

Cite this Entry

“Unpretentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unpretentious. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

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