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.

“Fuze” was one of my favorite treats at last fall’s Toronto International Film Festival, although unlike many of the other films it premiered alongside, it has no pretensions of being an awards contender.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

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

And perhaps it was not evil I saw but merely the way of all hearts when fear has stripped off the husk of kind pretensions.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver