Stately vs Pretentious - What's the difference?
stately | pretentious | Related terms |
Of people: regal, dignified; worthy of respect.
* 1900 , , The House Behind the Cedars , Chapter I,
Of movement: dignified; deliberate, unhurried.
* 2010 , "An own goal on gay rights", The Economist , 14 Oct 2010:
Imposing; grand, impressive.
Marked by an unwarranted claim to importance or distinction.
Ostentatious; intended to impress others.
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As adjectives the difference between stately and pretentious
is that stately is of people: regal, dignified; worthy of respect while pretentious is marked by an unwarranted claim to importance or distinction.As an adverb stately
is in a stately manner.stately
English
Adjective
(er)- Warwick's first glance had revealed the fact that the young woman was strikingly handsome, with a stately beauty seldom encountered.
- And much as they welcome his promise to repeal “don’t ask, don’t tell”, they are dismayed by the stately pace and bungled tactics of his attempts to do so.
pretentious
English
Alternative forms
*Adjective
(en adjective)- Their song titles are pretentious in the context of their basic lyrics.
- Her dress was obviously more pretentious than comfortable.
