pretension
1 of 2noun
pre·ten·sion pri-ˈten(t)-shən 
1
: an allegation of doubtful value : pretext
2
: a claim or an effort to establish a claim
3
: a claim or right to attention or honor because of merit
4
: an aspiration or intention that may or may not reach fulfillment
has serious literary pretensions
5
: vanity, pretentiousness
pretensionless
pri-ˈten(t)-shən-ləs
adjective pretension
2 of 2verb
pre·ten·sion ˌprē-ˈten(t)-shən
pretensioned; pretensioning; pretensions
transitive verb
: prestress
Synonyms
Noun
- call
- claim
- dibs
- pretense
- pretence
- right
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun He spoke about his achievements without pretension. I admire his honesty and lack of pretension. The restaurant offers excellent food without pretension.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ian Malone, Vogue, 7 Sep. 2022 Locals in Seulo scoffed at the pretension of Perdasdefogu to the geriatric throne. Jason Horowitz, BostonGlobe.com, 16 July 2022 Locals in Seulo scoffed at the pretension of Perdasdefogu to the geriatric throne. New York Times, 13 July 2022 The pretension of wine culture leaves a bad taste in her mouth. Taylor Mims, Billboard, 2 June 2022 Rather, his chief pastime involves projecting a constant stream of pretension and scorn. Natalia Winkelman, BostonGlobe.com, 29 June 2022 Brilliantly impressionistic at times, the series can also veer into bombast and pretension quicker than its lead character can score some drugs at a high school party. Josh St. Clair, Men's Health, 17 May 2022 The stylish show is choreographed, as the title would demand, but without pretension. Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2022 Maybe there is simply not enough pretension in the world. Rachel Tashjian, Harper's BAZAAR, 20 May 2022 See More
Noun
This lack of pretension is evident from the entrance, which is almost unmarked and easily missed. Ian Malone, Vogue, 7 Sep. 2022 Locals in Seulo scoffed at the pretension of Perdasdefogu to the geriatric throne. Jason Horowitz, BostonGlobe.com, 16 July 2022 Locals in Seulo scoffed at the pretension of Perdasdefogu to the geriatric throne. New York Times, 13 July 2022 The pretension of wine culture leaves a bad taste in her mouth. Taylor Mims, Billboard, 2 June 2022 Rather, his chief pastime involves projecting a constant stream of pretension and scorn. Natalia Winkelman, BostonGlobe.com, 29 June 2022 Brilliantly impressionistic at times, the series can also veer into bombast and pretension quicker than its lead character can score some drugs at a high school party. Josh St. Clair, Men's Health, 17 May 2022 The stylish show is choreographed, as the title would demand, but without pretension. Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2022 Maybe there is simply not enough pretension in the world. Rachel Tashjian, Harper's BAZAAR, 20 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb
pre- + tension entry 2
First Known Use
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1936, in the meaning defined above
pretension
noun
1
as in right
an entitlement to something a pretension of long standing to the throne of Hungary Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- right
- pretense
- pretence
- claim
- title
- call
- privilege
- dibs
- prerogative
- refusal
- birthright
- favor
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- waiver
- disclaimer
- release
- quitclaim
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
- arrogance
- superiority
- pretense
- disdain
- attitude
- haughtiness
- pomposity
- pretentiousness
- superciliousness
- loftiness
- imperiousness
- hauteur
- pompousness
- assumption
- pretence
- presumptuousness
- peremptoriness
- lordliness
- consequence
- masterfulness
- pridefulness
- bumptiousness
- vanity
- huffiness
- self-importance
- pride
- condescension
- dominance
- snobbery
- high horse
- snobbishness
- snootiness
- scorn
- toploftiness
- self-consequence
- snobbism
- bossiness
- boastfulness
- bravado
- inflation
- authoritativeness
- smugness
- cheekiness
- brag
- sauciness
- swagger
- triumphalism
- impudence
- bombast
- egoism
- bowwow
- egotism
- vainglory
- high-handedness
- cockiness
- strut
- braggadocio
- side
- conceit
- impertinence
- complacence
- self-assertion
- chest-thumping
- cheek
- self-complacency
- self-opinion
- vaingloriousness
- self-conceit
- self-satisfaction
- swelled head
- self-centeredness
- self-content
- self-contentment
- superiority complex
- self-assumption
- self-partiality
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- humility
- modesty
- unpretentiousness
- shyness
- bashfulness
- diffidence
- timidity
- demureness
- passivity
- timidness
- meekness
- submissiveness
- unassumingness
- reservedness
- passiveness
- lowliness
- self-doubt
- quietness
- self-distrust
- reserve
- retiringness
- mousiness
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
- affectation
- pretense
- arrogance
- vanity
- disdain
- pretentiousness
- superiority
- grandiosity
- pretence
- pride
- inflation
- affectedness
- confidence
- snobbery
- smugness
- haughtiness
- snobbishness
- complacency
- egotism
- imperiousness
- pompousness
- superciliousness
- hauteur
- vainglory
- boastfulness
- conceit
- presumptuousness
- presumption
- lordliness
- vainness
- ostentation
- self-aggrandizement
- boldness
- self-glorification
- audaciousness
- bumptiousness
- self-conceit
- self-satisfaction
- cockiness
- braggadocio
- assertiveness
- aggressiveness
- cheekiness
- self-importance
- forwardness
- flamboyance
- impudence
- ostentatiousness
- showiness
- sureness
- gaudiness
- rudeness
- grandiloquence
- self-assertion
- insolence
- vaingloriousness
- garishness
- glitz
- self-assurance
- flashiness
- mummery
- self-assumption
- brassiness
- self-confidence
- self-consequence
- show
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- humility
- modesty
- humbleness
- timidity
- diffidence
- meekness
- demureness
- sincerity
- bashfulness
- shyness
- down-to-earthness
- lowliness
- naturalness
4
as in purpose
something that one hopes or intends to accomplish has serious pretensions of becoming a writer Synonyms & Similar Words
- purpose
- ambition
- goal
- idea
- intention
- aim
- intent
- object
- objective
- thing
- plan
- aspiration
- dream
- meaning
- design
- point
- bourne
- ideal
- end
- target
- mark
- bourn
- name of the game
- project
- desire
- hope
- mind
- plot
- scheme
- wish
- holy grail
- terminus
- grail
- destination
- nirvana
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- way
- means
- method
Synonym Chooser
The words ambition and aspiration are common synonyms of pretension. While all three words mean "strong desire for advancement," pretension suggests ardent desire for recognition of accomplishment often without actual possession of the necessary ability and therefore may imply presumption.
has literary pretensions
The words ambition and pretension can be used in similar contexts, but ambition applies to the desire for personal advancement or preferment and may suggest equally a praiseworthy or an inordinate desire.
driven by ambition
While in some cases nearly identical to pretension, aspiration implies a striving after something higher than oneself.
an aspiration to become president someday