Pretensively describes a manner characterized by ostentatious display, showiness, or exaggerated claims, often intended to impress or deceive. It implies a facade or outward appearance that conceals a lack of substance or genuine worth. The action signifies an artificial or affected quality, where actions are performed more for effect than for genuine purpose. Someone acting pretensively wants to appear to be or have something, often status, intelligence, or wealth, that they do not truly possess. The behavior is often perceived as insincere and even somewhat ridiculous.
Pretensively meaning with examples
- The gallery was filled with people who were pretensively examining the abstract art, offering profound-sounding analyses despite their evident lack of understanding. The conversations sounded phony and the group's posturing made clear their true intentions; social climbing in style.
- He pretensively flashed his expensive watch, attempting to impress the waitress at the diner, even though she was clearly unimpressed. His attempt at showing off the lifestyle he perceived was above her, did little to improve the service provided, she was having none of it!
- She pretensively spoke in a complex vocabulary and academic tone during the casual dinner party, trying to show off her intelligence, but her comments were poorly received. Her colleagues were not impressed by her posturing, and clearly knew it for what it was.
- The marketing campaign pretensively promised groundbreaking innovation, but the actual product was a minor upgrade of an old model. The advertising agency did everything but use honesty to sell the product and their lies are being called out.
- He pretensively decorated his small apartment with expensive furniture, trying to create an illusion of wealth he did not possess. The apartment looked gaudy and tacky to his friends, though he may not have realised it himself.