pretentious
14 synonyms and 11 antonyms for pretentious, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Trying too hard to seem impressive, intelligent, or important, in a way that comes across as fake or overblown.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use pretentious
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
pretentious nonsense
sound pretentious
Etymology
From French prétentieux, ultimately from Latin praetendere ("to put forward, to claim"). Note the spelling with "t" rather than "s", unlike the related word "pretense".
Full origin of pretentious →Frequently asked questions
What does “pretentious” mean?
The word “pretentious” means trying too hard to seem impressive, intelligent, or important, in a way that comes across as fake or overblown. In plain terms, showing off in a way meant to look sophisticated but that actually feels forced or fake.
How do you pronounce “pretentious”?
“Pretentious” is pronounced prih-TEHN-shuhs (/pɹɪˈtɛn.ʃəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “pretentious” in a sentence?
Here is “pretentious” used in a sentence: “The restaurant's menu was full of pretentious descriptions for simple dishes.”
What is another word for “pretentious”?
Words with a similar meaning to “pretentious” include highfalutin, affected, effete, fey, recherché and overrefined.
What is the opposite of “pretentious”?
The opposite of “pretentious” — its antonyms — are unpretentious, humble, modest, demure and formal.
What part of speech is “pretentious”?
“Pretentious” is an adjective.
Where does the word “pretentious” come from?
The word “pretentious” comes from Latin. From French prétentieux, ultimately from Latin praetendere ("to put forward, to claim"). Note the spelling with "t" rather than "s", unlike the related word "pretense".
Is “pretentious” a common word?
“Pretentious” is an uncommon word in modern English.
