Adverb describing an action or behavior that is characterized by pretentiousness. It refers to the manner in which someone behaves, speaks, or presents themselves in a way that is calculated to impress others, often involving exaggerated claims, ostentatious displays, or a perceived sense of superiority. The term relates to an attitude or approach that seeks validation through superficial means.
Pretentively meaning with examples
- During the meeting, she spoke pretentively about her achievements, embellishing them to elevate her status in front of her peers. Her colleagues exchanged glances, recognizing the lack of substance behind her grandiose claims, which made the atmosphere quite uncomfortable.
- The artist's pretentively elaborate style was immediately apparent in his recent exhibition, where he overemphasized each piece's significance. Critics panned his work, stating that it served more as a vessel for self-aggrandizement than genuine artistic expression, leaving visitors intrigued yet unimpressed.
- At the upscale dinner party, he behaved pretentively, dominating the conversation with tales of his travels and luxury acquisitions, all while flaunting his designer attire. His intent seemed to overshadow genuine connection, as guests grew wary of the ostentatious display.
- She pretentively lectured her friends on fine dining etiquette, trying to impress them with her knowledge of wine pairings and culinary terms. However, her delivery felt forced, and her friends soon realized that genuine expertise was lacking in her showboating.
- As the team leader, he presented the project updates pretentively, boasting about every minute detail while overshadowing his team's contributions. This approach backfired, leading to resentment among team members who felt undervalued and unrecognized for their hard work.