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.

In short, it was perfect for an adolescent boy of burgeoning but unformed pretensions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

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

However, Wales will relish the chance to stick a spanner in the spokes and puncture such title pretensions.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2025

It’s a superficial film about a superficial world and, like its protagonist, it’s got no pretensions of anything more.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 19, 2024

Isaac Newton came, on his father’s side, from a farming family that had just started to do well for themselves in a material way, but lacked any pretensions to intellectual achievement.

From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin