Definitions for: Pretension

[n] a false or unsupportable quality
[n] the quality of being pretentious (creating a false appearance of great importance or worth)
[n] the advancing of a claim; "his pretension to the crown"; "the town still puts forward pretensions as a famous resort"

Webster (1913) Definition: Pre*ten"sion, n. [Cf. F. pr['e]tention. 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. --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. --Bacon.

Men indulge those opinions and practices that favor
their pretensions. --L'Estrange.

Synonyms: pretence, pretense, pretentiousness

Antonyms: unpretentiousness

See Also: artificiality, claim, ostentation, unnaturalness

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