pretensions

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Nearly everyone involved in this production has secrets to hide and pretensions to put on display.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

In 1956, shortly before his death, Mencken went even further; “American journalism is predominantly paltry and worthless. Its pretensions are enormous, but its achievements are insignificant.”

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2025

Nauman’s, however, is refreshingly without illusions or pretensions.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2025

Not for the locals either, who distance themselves from the city's pretensions by describing themselves as Massicois, rather than Parisians.

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2025

Far more useful to me, for understanding the tics, pretensions, and insecurities of the owner class, are books and other print-related artifacts.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich