pretension
NounUS[pree-ten-shuhn]/priˈtɛnʃən/3 syllables
Open English WordNet
Noun (3)
- a false or unsupportable qualitySynonyms: pretensepretenceType of artificiality
- the advancing of a claim“his pretension to the crown”“the town still puts forward pretensions as a famous resort”Type of claim
- the quality of being pretentious (behaving or speaking in such a manner as to create a false appearance of great importance or worth)Synonyms: pretentiousnesslargenessType of unnaturalnessKinds ostentation
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bombasticadjective
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Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Pre·ten′sion noun
Origin: Cf. F. prétention. See Pretend, Tension.
1. The act of pretending, or laying claim; the act of asserting right or title.
The arrogant pretensions of Glengarry contributed to protract the discussion.— Thomas Babington Macaulay
2. A claim made, whether true or false; a right alleged or assumed; a holding out the appearance of possessing a certain character; as, pretensions to scholarship.
This was but an invention and pretension given out by the Spaniards.— Francis, Baron Verulam Bacon
Men indulge those opinions and practices that favor their pretensions.— Sir Roger L'Estrange
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54