unpretentious

adjective

ˌən-pri-ˈten(t)-shəs How to pronounce unpretentious (audio)
Definition of unpretentiousnext
1
as in genuine
free from any intent to deceive or impress others a simple and unpretentious account about growing up in the rural South

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in quiet
not excessively showy lives in a rather unpretentious house for someone so wealthy

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in humble
not having or showing any feelings of superiority, self-assertiveness, or showiness the unpretentious disposition of an award-winning scientist who has nothing to prove to anyone

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of unpretentious The resort has a refreshingly unpretentious vibe, and now oddly-endearing late-80s aesthetic from when it was first designed and built. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026 Clad in a sleeveless bright green dress, Anderson, 57, radiates an ageless grace, undeniably sophisticated yet unpretentious in her demeanor. — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026 The downtown store regularly hosts Japanese tailors for trunk shows, and its unpretentious staff warmly guides customers through suits from a house line made by Ring Jacket. — New York Times, 31 July 2026 Few places exemplify the town’s unpretentious charm better than Gilhooley’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar. — Gabi De La Rosa, Southern Living, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for unpretentious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unpretentious
  1. genuine
  2. quiet
  3. humble
  4. unaffected
  5. muted
  6. meek
  7. honest
  8. subdued
Adjective
  • And Steward’s emphasis on cultivating a genuine connection to his players fit naturally with the culture Chesney vowed to instill in Westwood.
    — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Companies have achieved genuine breakthroughs in locomotion, perception and manipulation.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of genuine
Adjective
  • With the whizbang action long in the series’ rearview, this quiet road trip proves its emotional centerpiece, as Noah confesses both his true nature and his desire to be better — the conflict of his programming.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • As the market tries to keep the momentum going, a quiet calendar of earnings and economic reports awaits in the week ahead.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of quiet
Adjective
  • While the house is bursting with artwork that would make most museum curators envious, Herman’s home is surprisingly humble, built on a tight budget from prosaic materials.
    — Marissa Gluck, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
  • In the ultimate model-off-duty moment, Gigi Hadid was seen wearing a humble zig-zag headband—the quintessential late-'90s and early-2000s hair accessory.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of humble
Adjective
  • Researchers have long wondered why some people develop these reactions while others seem to skate by unaffected.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Today, Putin follows essentially the same model, seeking to erode allies’ confidence in NATO’s Article 5 by relying on tactics that fall below the threshold of a conventional warfare and leave unaffected members hesitant to respond.
    — Julianne Smith, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of unaffected
Adjective
  • Instead of the pops of yellow included in the original design, Stone’s NYFF look went with muted grays and beiges.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • With the crowd on its feet still hoping for a comeback, pinch-hitter Gavin Sheets struck out to end it and the Brewers had a muted celebration on the field.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of muted
Adjective
  • The visitors were meek and the poorest performers of the four opponents, but how much of that is down to the way Leeds played?
    — Beren Cross, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Moore plays Mona Friedman, a meek housewife who hasn’t sung in front of anyone since church choir and is unexpectedly cast in a community-theater production — then transforms into a zealous method actor willing to wage war over a marginal role.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of meek
Adjective
  • Ask each business owner to absorb the run-rate at renewal, and the honest answer arrives faster than any dashboard.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Each episode, the brutally honest Ramsay comes in to help the struggling restaurant fix its problems or its negative image, and in turn the restaurants get publicity from being on a national television show.
    — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of honest
Adjective
  • In one voting center in Sao Paulo, the energy was more subdued than four years ago, when Lula beat the senator’s father, former President Jair Bolsonaro.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026
  • There are plenty of layers and body, but the bangs are slightly more subdued than a traditional shag.
    — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of subdued

Browse Nearby Words

unpretending
unpretentious
unpretentiously
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Cite this Entry

“Unpretentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unpretentious. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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