PRETENTIOUSNESS Synonyms: 178 Similar and Opposite Words

pretentiousness

noun

as in arrogance

an exaggerated sense of one's importance that shows itself in the making of excessive or unjustified claims everyone took her ingrained pretentiousness into account when considering her statements

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in ostentation

excessive or unnecessary display the sheer pretentiousness of the debutante's wedding

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in affectation

the quality or state of appearing or trying to appear more important or more valuable than is the case the utter pretentiousness of the movie is matched only by the incomprehensibility of its story

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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 pretentiousness Staff members treat patrons like family, a welcome departure from the pretentiousness that sometimes comes with more luxurious bookings. — Joey Skladany, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026 Gabrielle and Katerina credit the enduring appeal of Dan Tana’s to its persistent lack of pretentiousness. — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026 Advertisement Jones uses his antihero’s blunt self-appraisals to avoid the pretentiousness endemic to stories about artists. — Judy Berman, Time, 2 June 2026 The lack of pretentiousness signals something about who’s welcome there. — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 29 Nov. 2025 There’s a pretentiousness that begins to show itself as folks get more comfortable. — Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 20 Oct. 2025 Coleman found no pretentiousness in Trafford, and he was not perturbed by the drop in facilities compared to the Etihad Campus. — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretentiousness

Noun

An America that seeks justice with dignity and wisdom, not arrogance and gore.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
These fascinating, illuminating episodes raise the question of whether great fiction requires the kind of single-mindedness and even arrogance that McCarthy cultivated.

— New York Times, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of arrogance

Noun

The interiors are relatively forgettable, but in a town marked by ostentation, the crowd counts for more than the surroundings.

— Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
The packaging and philosophy emphasize sustainability and collectibility without ostentation, aligning with a growing desire for thoughtful luxury.

— Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of ostentation

Noun

But, even then, American socialists walked a fine line—they were considered too radical for the mainstream and a mere bourgeois affectation by committed class revolutionaries.

— Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
With rare exceptions, EV sound is little more than an affectation.

— Byron Hurd, The Drive, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of affectation

Noun

Meanwhile, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), which sees space superiority as essential to winning future wars, is developing a range of space capabilities as well as a suite of weapons that can attack satellites.

— Kathleen Curlee, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2026
Credibility is affected deeply by strategic cultural assessments about superiority and inferiority, and notions about when, where, how and for whom the credibility matters.

— Christopher Nichols, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of superiority

Noun

But for all the pomp and ceremony, China analysts broadly predict the leaders’ personal relationship and policy goals will result in a cautious summit that yields few major deliverables.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
The salutation will kick off a three-day visit that's expected to be saturated with pomp, even by White House standards.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of pomp

Noun

The author behind the singular Elizabeth Zott returns with ‘Peck & Peck,’ a sharp, charming satire on the pretensions and perils of literary gatekeepers.

— Leigh Haber, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Despite the proximity to downtown and guest rooms brimming with the latest and greatest technology, there’s zero pretension here.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of pretension

Noun

Wilde cultivated an unmistakable appearance through his clothing, aestheticism, and flamboyance.

— William Arruda, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
The performance is daringly weird, perverse and outlandish, seductively charming, and, for all the flamboyance, Curry never veers out of control, never takes it too far.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of flamboyance

Noun

The application moves away from last-minute stress, unwanted items, and polite pretense, establishing a modern channel for intentional giving.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
And the idea that yakuza were on the side of the common man was rarely anything more than a pretense.

— Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of pretense

Browse Nearby Words

pretentiously

pretentiousness

pretermission

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Style

“Pretentiousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretentiousness. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of pretentiousness

noun

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