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pretentious

[pri-ten-shuhs] / prɪˈtɛn ʃəs /


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.

No matter how gnarly the form and finish, there’s always a whiff of the precious and the cute—or, in the case of avant-garde “sculptural” jewelry, the pretentious or vainglorious.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

The 22-year-old from Fife accepts that sometimes black and white shoots can feel "pretentious and tacky", but from watching the trailer, Spider-Noir feels different.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

In Tim Burton’s breakthrough film, O’Hara played tragically hip Delia Deetz, the pretentious and self-absorbed stepmother of Winona Ryder’s Lydia.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026

One might say that, three years ahead of the show’s jump to YouTube, Academy voters are making a concerted effort to distance themselves from the perception that the Oscars are elitist and pretentious.

From Salon • Jan. 23, 2026

And Kevin complained of boredom, and of having to be sociable with a steady stream of ignorant pretentious guests who visited the Weylin house.

From "Kindred" by Octavia Butler




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