Pretentiously: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe someone who tries to impress others by pretending to be more important or knowledgeable than they really are. Often used in a negative context.

• He spoke pretentiously about his travels to foreign countries, even though he had only been to a few tourist spots.
• She dressed pretentiously for the event, wearing designer labels and extravagant accessories.

Refers to behavior or items that are meant to attract notice and impress others. Usually has a negative connotation, implying that the actions or items are a showy display of wealth or importance.

• She wore her diamond necklace ostentatiously to the party, making sure everyone noticed its size and brilliance.
• He drove around the neighborhood in his ostentatious sports car, revving the engine to draw attention.

Describes actions or plans that are impressive and ambitious, often to a point where they may seem unrealistic or over-the-top. Can have both positive and negative connotations, depending on context.

• The company announced its plans to expand grandiosely into new markets across the globe.
• He decorated his house grandiosely for the holidays, with lights and decorations covering every inch of the front yard.

Describes someone who behaves in a self-important, arrogant manner. This word is generally used in a negative context to criticize someone's inflated sense of their own importance or knowledge.

• The professor spoke pompously, as if he were the only authority on the subject.
• He walked around the office pompously, giving orders to everyone as though he were the CEO.