pretension
Example Sentences
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“Art film” is a bit of a dirty term, frequently offered with a sneer when discussing a work so dripping with pretension that even an Airblade wouldn’t be of any help.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
Any pretension exhibited was earned with the grace of a batted eyelash and a knowing smirk.
From Salon ● Jun. 9, 2025
In person, Pierce is gently disarming, with none of the intellectual pretension of Niles Crane.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 11, 2023
There was a baby-knit culotte and matching polo with Gucci stripe detailing, worn without pretension.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 22, 2023
In disliking them, I was forced to recognize my own pretension, and that made me hate them even more.
From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris
He has no pretensions, but he’s completely comfortable on camera—something to director Lee’s advantage and which probably helped the pupils to relax.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026
Nearly everyone involved in this production has secrets to hide and pretensions to put on display.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 3, 2026
Nauman’s, however, is refreshingly without illusions or pretensions.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 7, 2025
However, Wales will relish the chance to stick a spanner in the spokes and puncture such title pretensions.
From BBC ● Mar. 14, 2025
Far more useful to me, for understanding the tics, pretensions, and insecurities of the owner class, are books and other print-related artifacts.
From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich
Vocabulary lists containing pretension
Common Sense
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Pygmalion
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The 57 Bus
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