Definitions

1. noun

the quality of being pretentious, or an instance of this, especially in a way that is considered to be affected or insincere.

“Her pretension to being a connoisseur of fine art was transparent to those who knew her.”

2. noun

an excessive or affected claim to have a particular quality or achievement.

“The politician’s pretension to being a champion of social justice was exposed when he was caught in a scandal.”

3. verb

to make a pretentious claim or assertion.

“He pretends to be a great artist, but his work is mediocre at best.”