Definitions
- Describing an excessive sense of self-importance or pride. - Referring to an overinflated opinion of one's abilities or achievements. - Talking about an exaggerated belief in one's superiority or uniqueness.
- Referring to a claim or assertion of importance or merit that is not supported by evidence or reality. - Describing an attempt to appear more important or sophisticated than one actually is. - Talking about an affected or artificial manner of behavior or speech.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe an attitude of self-importance or superiority.
- 2Both words can be negative traits that are off-putting to others.
- 3Both words involve an element of exaggeration or overstatement.
What is the difference?
- 1Focus: Conceit emphasizes an inflated sense of self-worth, while pretension focuses on the attempt to appear more important or sophisticated than one actually is.
- 2Usage: Conceit is often used to describe a person's character or personality, while pretension can refer to behavior, speech, or claims.
- 3Degree: Conceit implies an extreme level of self-importance, while pretension can be more subtle or moderate.
- 4Connotation: Conceit can have a positive connotation in certain contexts, such as in literature or art, while pretension is almost always negative.
Remember this!
Conceit and pretension both describe an attitude of self-importance or superiority, but they differ in their focus and degree. Conceit emphasizes an inflated sense of self-worth, while pretension focuses on the attempt to appear more important or sophisticated than one actually is. Additionally, conceit is often used to describe a person's character or personality, while pretension can refer to behavior, speech, or claims.