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adjective. characterized by assumption of dignity or importance, especially when exaggerated or undeserved: a pretentious, self-important waiter. making an exaggerated outward show; ostentatious. full of pretense or pretension; having no factual basis; false.
What does it mean if someone is pretentious?
1 : characterized by pretension: such as. a : making usually unjustified or excessive claims (as of value or standing) the pretentious fraud who assumes a love of culture that is alien to him— Richard Watts.
What is an example of pretentious?
The definition of pretentious is someone or something that claims to be very important or grand. An example of pretentious is someone saying they deserve a table in a crowded restaurant because of who they are. Affectedly grand; ostentatious. Ostentatious; intended to impress others.
How do you know if someone is pretentious?
Here a few signs that someone is pretentious: They believe that liking obscure hobbies or having eccentric interests makes them smart or special. They use long words or jargon because they think it makes them look intelligent or cultured.
Is being pretentious bad?
Being pretentious is a bad idea for several reasons: it alienates people, it suggests you’re smarter than perhaps you actually are, and it invites unfriendly scrutiny. Moreover, it’s just irritating, ipso facto.
What is a pretentious woman?
If you say that someone or something is pretentious, you mean that they try to seem important or significant, but you do not think that they are.
What do you call someone that thinks they know everything?
A pantomath is a person who wants to know or knows everything. In theory, a pantomath is not to be confused with a polymath in its less strict sense, much less with the related but very different terms philomath and know-it-all.
What are pretentious words?
grandiose, stilted, arty, overblown, hollow, exaggerated, turgid, pompous, showy, ostentatious, affected, assuming, aureate, big, bombastic, chichi, conspicuous, extravagant, feigned, flamboyant.
Is pretentious positive or negative?
Generally, being pretentious is the more negative of the two, since it comes with a certain arrogance and an undeserved sense of entitlement.
How do you deal with a pretentious person?
7 Polite Ways to Put Pretentious People in Their Place 1 Ignore the Behavior. 2 Maintain Indifference. 3 Stand up for Your Opinions. 4 Never Act Impressed. 5 Confront the Behavior. 6 Assert Your Authority. 7 Ask “Why?” Incessantly.
What kind of people are pretentious?
The root of the word is the verb ‘pretend’, and in this context a pretentious person is someone who pretends to be someone or something she/he is not – which sounds even worse than the Oxford definition.
What causes people to be pretentious?
Pretentiousness grows out of an awareness the social self, or the version of oneself that exists in the eyes of others. Pretentiousness can develop from a genuine belief that one is better than someone else, or a sense of insecurity.
What’s the opposite to pretentious?
Unassuming: “Not pretentious or arrogant; modest.”.
Is pretentious overused?
As the title suggests, in my opinion there is no word more overused, misused, or used in bad faith within film criticism than “pretentious.” Far too often, it is used as a dismissal of a film that just does something that rubs the reviewer the wrong way.
What is a worthless person?
adjective. Someone who is described as worthless is considered to have no good qualities or skills. You feel you really are completely worthless and unlovable. More Synonyms of worthless.
What is the difference between portentous and pretentious?
The Difference Between Portentous and Pretentious The adjective portentous means ominous or momentous, referring to a sign or prediction that something important is about to happen. The adjective pretentious means full of pretense, making excessive or unwarranted claims to be important or sophisticated.
Does pretentious mean arrogant?
As adjectives the difference between arrogant and pretentious. is that arrogant is having excessive pride in oneself, often with contempt for others while pretentious is marked by an unwarranted claim to importance or distinction.
What is a Cynophilist?
: a dog fancier : one that is favorably disposed toward dogs.
What do you call a person that never admits they’re wrong?
ĭn-fălə-bəl. The definition of infallible is someone or something that is always perfect and right, without any errors or mistakes. An example of infallible are the decisions of God. adjective.
How do you shut up a know it all?
Today’s top headlines Don’t take it personally. A know-it-all’s behavior isn’t aimed at you. Avoid arguing. Use flattery. Give constructive feedback. Set clear boundaries. Be understanding. Be a good role model. Sample script when talking with a know-it-all: “I really appreciate all you do around here.
What are some fancy words?
chichi, extravagant, exuberant, fancified, flamboyant, frilly, gimmicked (up), grandiose,.
What do you call someone who acts like you?
doppelganger Add to list Share. Someone who looks spookily like you, but isn’t a twin, is a doppelganger. We look so much alike.” These days, most people don’t refer to the ghost meaning when talking about doppelgangers: they just mean someone who looks a lot like you or could be your twin. Still, that is pretty spooky.
What is a wordiness?
wordy, verbose, prolix, diffuse mean using more words than necessary to express thought. wordy may also imply loquaciousness or garrulity. a wordy speech verbose suggests a resulting dullness, obscurity, or lack of incisiveness or precision.
What do you call someone who thinks they are smarter than they are?
The Dunning-Kruger effect is a type of cognitive bias in which people believe that they are smarter and more capable than they really are. Essentially, low ability people do not possess the skills needed to recognize their own incompetence.
What is a word for someone who thinks they are better than everyone?
supercilious. adjective. a supercilious person behaves as if they think they are better or more important than everyone else.
What do you call someone who tries to impress others?
Beguiling, captivating, charming – positive in tone. Pretentious has a meaning of trying to be socially or intellectually superior.
Can a person be ostentatious?
A rich, upper-class person who buys a very expensive new car is ostentatious. A pretentious person is pretending to have or be something or someone he or she is not. An ostentatious person is flaunting who he or she is and/or what they have.
