CEFR C1

pretension

noun

Meaning

A claim or assertion of importance, merit, or status that is often exaggerated or not supported by reality.

Examples

The restaurant's menu had a certain pretension that didn't match the mediocre quality of the food.
She dropped her pretension of being an expert once the professor started asking technical questions.

Synonyms: vanity, arrogance, affectation, pomposity

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pretension (C1)

noun

Pronunciation: /prɪˈtenʃən/

Definition

A claim or assertion of importance, merit, or status that is often exaggerated or not supported by reality.

Examples

The restaurant's menu had a certain pretension that didn't match the mediocre quality of the food.
She dropped her pretension of being an expert once the professor started asking technical questions.
His writing style is full of pretension, using overly complex words to hide a lack of substance.

Synonyms of pretension

Words with a similar meaning to pretension:

Antonyms of pretension

Words with the opposite meaning to pretension:

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