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pretentious
[ pri-ten-shuhs ]
adjective
- characterized by assumption of dignity or importance, especially when exaggerated or undeserved:
a pretentious, self-important waiter.
Synonyms: pompous
- making an exaggerated outward show; ostentatious.
Synonyms: showy
- full of pretense or pretension; having no factual basis; false.
pretentious
/ prɪˈtɛnʃəs /
adjective
- making claim to distinction or importance, esp undeservedly
- having or creating a deceptive outer appearance of great worth; ostentatious
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Derived Forms
- preˈtentiousness, noun
- preˈtentiously, adverb
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Other Words From
- pre·tentious·ly adverb
- pre·tentious·ness noun
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Word History and Origins
Origin of pretentious1
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Example Sentences
Svein: To be very big on things, bordering on the pretentious, I see it as all of those things.
I have never felt that displaying these things was right, as her grandson it felt a little - if not a lot - pretentious.
Actually, my standard was less pretentious: Is it good for the Jews?
The comingling of the art and pop music worlds is pointless and pretentious.
It was becoming increasingly elitist, pretentious, and exclusive.
In the centre was a log-house, larger and more pretentious than many log-houses which he had seen in the South.
The little inn was cleanlier and better kept than many of the more pretentious ones.
With costers and bargemen one can always get on familiarly: it is the pretentious, vulgar men and females who are horrible.
An affected and pretentious woman is all deportment and words; a sensible woman shows her sense by her behaviour.
Thus an imitation of sagacity becomes pretentious affectation.
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