pretensions

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.

Mr. Schlossberg’s campaign displays aristocratic pretensions that fit uneasily into this new politics.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 17, 2025

In 1956, shortly before his death, Mencken went even further; “American journalism is predominantly paltry and worthless. Its pretensions are enormous, but its achievements are insignificant.”

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2025

Nauman’s, however, is refreshingly without illusions or pretensions.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2025

The film within the film, which occupies an entire episode, allows for some familiar jabs at Hollywood types, practices and pretensions — and the less familiar plight of the Asian actor.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2024

And Dorothy was of an unusually independent mind, impatient with the pretensions that sometimes accompanied the upwardly mobile members of the race.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly