vain 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.

He felt so much and so justly annoyed by Miss Dora's vain pretensions, that he forgot his anxiety about the secret conference in the summer-house.

From The Perpetual Curate by Oliphant, Mrs. (Margaret)

But until they are willing to throw aside their vain pretensions of being the salt of the earth and better than others, I am afraid little can be done.

From The Unknown Wrestler by Cody, H. A. (Hiram Alfred)

In the times of its inventor, and for many succeeding ages, it was expressive of modesty and worth; in our days it is the badge of impudence and vain pretensions.

From An Essay on the Beautiful From the Greek of Plotinus by Taylor, Thomas

How well Thou canst frustrate all the false wisdom of men, and triumph over their vain pretensions!

From The Autobiography of Madame Guyon by Guyon, Jeanne Marie Bouvier de la Motte

In a treatise of eleven quarto pages, contained in his "Refutation of All Heresies," he riddled with merciless logic the vain pretensions of the Greek astrologers.

From The Popes and Science The History of the Papal Relations to Science During the Middle Ages and Down to Our Own Time by Walsh, James J.