Pretentious

Pretentious describes someone or something attempting to appear more important, intelligent, or cultured than they actually are.

It often involves excessive display, affected behavior, and a striving for social status or intellectual depth that feels insincere or exaggerated.

A Pretentious person might use overly complex language, feign knowledge, or adopt elaborate manners to impress others, regardless of genuine understanding or feelings.

The core of pretension is a disconnect between the appearance and reality of competence, worth, or sensibility.

Pretentious meaning with examples

• He used unnecessarily complex vocabulary to sound intelligent, revealing a Pretentious attempt to impress the casual conversation with literary allusions.
• The artist's work, filled with abstract shapes and philosophical titles, felt Pretentious, catering more to critics than to genuine artistic expression or talent.
• She adopted a French accent and discussed obscure films, believing it would make her appear sophisticated, in a very Pretentious display for social standing.
• The restaurant's menu, laden with over-the-top descriptions and exorbitant prices, seemed Pretentious, prioritizing showiness over actual culinary quality.
• His Pretentious claims of having single-handedly saved the company from ruin rang hollow to those who knew the details, an overly embellished story.