pretentious

[ pri-ten-shuhs ]

/ prɪˈtɛn ʃəs /

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See synonyms for pretentious on Thesaurus.com

adjective

characterized by assumption of dignity or importance, especially when exaggerated or undeserved: a pretentious, self-important waiter.

making an exaggerated outward show; ostentatious.

full of pretense or pretension; having no factual basis; false.

OTHER WORDS FOR pretentious

1 pompous.

2 showy.

See synonyms for pretentious on Thesaurus.com

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of pretentious

1835–45; earlier pretensious.See pretense, -ious

synonym study for pretentious

1. See bombastic. 2. See grandiose.

OTHER WORDS FROM pretentious

pre·ten·tious·ly, adverbpre·ten·tious·ness, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH pretentious

portentous, pretentious

How to use pretentious in a sentence

Conquering 2021 may seem like an overly pretentious plan, especially for an immigrant who is just beginning to take his own steps in this great country.
2021 is the year to dream big|Michael K. Lavers and Yariel Valdés González|December 31, 2020|Washington Blade
Moreover, Trebek’s performance didn’t just lack pretension, it was anti-pretentious.
Remembering Alex Trebek, The Man With All The Answers|Oliver Roeder|November 9, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
House, M.D., was a series from the get go, so no worries about pretentiousness.
‘House, M.D.’ Series Finale: Almost Like Saying Goodbye to a Friend|Malcolm Jones|May 21, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The infamous cable about the pretentiousness, quirks, and unpredictability of Muammar Gaddafi is but one example.
WikiLeaks’ Harmful New Dump|P.J. Crowley|August 31, 2011|DAILY BEAST

The rooms were just ordinary hotel rooms, furnished with the dingy, wholesale pretentiousness of hotels of the second rate.
Children of the Whirlwind|Leroy Scott
It was a dwelling place of unusual pretentiousness for that land of "Do-without," where inexorable meagerness is the rule of life.
A Pagan of the Hills|Charles Neville Buck
Even leaving aside the discomforts which are always allied to pretentiousness, the poor rich woman has a hard time of it.
Town Life in Australia|R. E. N. (Richard) Twopeny
Some human vanity the north tower of Chartres displays, but no arrogant pride, no Renaissance pretentiousness.
How France Built Her Cathedrals|Elizabeth Boyle O'Reilly
Whether Meredith himself was more ashamed of their tailoring or their pretentiousness it is not easy to decide.
The Art of Letters|Robert Lynd

British Dictionary definitions for pretentious

pretentious

/ (prɪˈtɛnʃəs) /

adjective

making claim to distinction or importance, esp undeservedly

having or creating a deceptive outer appearance of great worth; ostentatious

Derived forms of pretentious

pretentiously, adverbpretentiousness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

pretentious

OTHER WORDS FOR pretentious

Origin of pretentious

synonym study for pretentious

OTHER WORDS FROM pretentious

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH pretentious

Words related to pretentious

How to use pretentious in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pretentious

Derived forms of pretentious