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Pretension: meaning, definitions and examples

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pretension

 

[ prɪˈtɛnʃ(ə)n ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

social interaction

A claim or assertion to a particular quality or right, often without foundation.

Synonyms

assertion, claim, declaration, professed

Examples of usage

  • He had no pretensions to being a great writer.
  • She dismissed his pretensions to political power.
Context #2 | Noun

behavior

The practice of maintaining a claim to a certain position or distinction, often in a way that is seen as pompous or exaggerated.

Synonyms

arrogance, ostentation, pretentiousness, snobbery

Examples of usage

  • Her pretensions to wealth were evident in her expensive clothing.
  • His pretensions of superiority made him unpopular among his peers.
Context #3 | Noun

art

The quality of being pretentious or affected in artistic style or content.

Synonyms

affectedness, artifice, grandiosity, pretentiousness

Examples of usage

  • The film was criticized for its pretension and lack of substance.
  • Many critics found the artist's work to be full of pretension and lacking in authenticity.

Translations

Translations of the word "pretension" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pretensão

🇮🇳 दावा

🇩🇪 Anspruch

🇮🇩 tuntutan

🇺🇦 претензія

🇵🇱 pretensja

🇯🇵 主張 (しゅちょう)

🇫🇷 prétention

🇪🇸 pretensión

🇹🇷 iddia

🇰🇷 주장 (주장)

🇸🇦 ادعاء

🇨🇿 nárok

🇸🇰 nárok

🇨🇳 要求 (yāoqiú)

🇸🇮 zahtevek

🇮🇸 kröfu

🇰🇿 талап

🇬🇪 მოთხოვნა

🇦🇿 iddia

🇲🇽 pretensión

Etymology

The word 'pretension' originated from the Latin word 'praetendere', which means 'to stretch forth, to claim'. Over time, 'pretension' has evolved to encompass various meanings related to claims, assertions, and displays of superiority. The concept of pretension has been a recurring theme in literature, art, and social interactions, often highlighting the tension between genuine merit and perceived self-importance.

See also: pretend, pretended, pretender, pretenders, pretending, pretentious.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,274, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.