pretension
1the laying of a claim to something.
a claim or title to something.
Often pretensions . a claim made, especially indirectly or by implication, to some quality, merit, or the like: They laughed at my pretensions to superior judgment.
a claim to dignity, importance, or merit.
pretentiousness.
the act of pretending or alleging.
an allegation of doubtful veracity.
a pretext.
Origin of pretension
1Other words for pretension
Other definitions for pretension (2 of 2)
(in prestressed-concrete construction) to apply tension to (reinforcing strands) before the concrete is poured; prestress. : Compare posttension (def. 1).
to make (a concrete member) with pretensioned reinforcement.
Origin of pretension
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use pretension in a sentence
“People need to get over their pretensions and embrace the Upper East Side,” says Mark Dorosz.
Why the Upper East Side Is Now Cooler Than Brooklyn | Tom Teodorczuk | September 2, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThey were remarkable affairs, not in the scale of their pretensions, but in their all-inclusive nature.
Doug Kenney: The Odd Comic Genius Behind ‘Animal House’ and National Lampoon | Robert Sam Anson | March 1, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIn his memoir, Belfort describes Danny Porush (the real Azoff) as a Jewish Long Islander with WASP pretensions.
Finally! ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ Is Hollywood’s First 1990s Period Piece | Andrew Romano | December 23, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTSo much public sculpture comes off as oversized and overblown – as plop art, with pretensions to grandeur and greatness.
The O contained a whimsical smiley face, a wry, self-deprecating wink at the pretensions of power.
Paul Begala Asks Bill Clinton and Madeleine Albright About Vaclav Havel | Paul Begala | December 20, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
At such a moment neither party would affect to forget the Bruce's royal pretensions.
King Robert the Bruce | A. F. MurisonAnd yet at this dilapidated old inn there were a number of guests who made great pretensions at style.
British Highways And Byways From A Motor Car | Thomas D. MurphySeymour, exasperated by finding that no party was inclined to support his pretensions, spoke with extravagant violence.
The History of England from the Accession of James II. | Thomas Babington MacaulayIf he had let persons alone, and had not ridiculed their opinions and pretensions, they would probably have let him alone.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume I | John LordI say, that unluckily there exists in France a law they call the Salic law, which destroys all our pretensions.
Chicot the Jester | Alexandre Dumas, Pere
British Dictionary definitions for pretension
/ (prɪˈtɛnʃən) /
(often plural) a false or unsupportable claim, esp to merit, worth, or importance
a specious or unfounded allegation; pretext
the state or quality of being pretentious
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
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