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.

The gap between European pretensions and European reality has become a chasm.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

Reflecting on the press, he later noted, "The press has pretensions of being a crusader but is more often a preserver of the status quo."

From BBC • Jul. 7, 2025

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

Ned had last seen the king nine years before during Balon Greyjoy's rebel-lion, when the stag and the direwolf had joined to end the pretensions of the self-proclaimed King of the Iron Is-lands.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin