Definitions

pretentious

[pri-ten-shuhs] / prɪˈtɛn ʃəs /

ADJECTIVE

snobbish, conceited

Synonyms

STRONGEST

arty exaggerated grandiose hollow overblown pompous showy stilted turgid

STRONG

ostentatious

WEAK

affected assuming aureate big bombastic chichi conspicuous euphuistic extravagant feigned flamboyant flashy flaunting flowery gaudy grandiloquent high-flown high-sounding highfalutin imposing inflated jazzy la-di-da lofty magniloquent mincing ornate overambitious puffed up put on rhetorical specious splashy swank too-too tumid utopian vainglorious

Antonyms

STRONGEST

genuine honest moderate modest plain simple

WEAK

humble unconceited

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.

For Parrot, it would be "pretentious" for the club to consider themselves as a model for other Ligue 1 sides in terms of navigating financial uncertainties.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

I know that sounds super baseball pretentious, like I should be wearing a straw hat and a bow tie, but I don’t care.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 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

“Harrison is the most pretentious peasant I have ever seen,” Kainene said, as she started the car.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

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