1. in a way that attempts to impress others by appearing more important, talented, or cultured than one actually is

Examples

• She spoke pretentiously about art, using terms she barely understood.
• The restaurant was decorated pretentiously with fake antiques and gaudy chandeliers.
• He pretentiously name-dropped famous authors he had never actually read.
• The critic pretentiously dismissed the popular movie as ‘beneath serious consideration.’
• She pretentiously corrected everyone’s pronunciation at the dinner party.
• The gallery owner pretentiously explained the ‘deep meaning’ behind every simple painting.