What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pretension
Example
His pretensions to wealth were quickly exposed as false. [pretensions: plural noun]
Example
She spoke with a pretentious air, as if she were better than everyone else. [pretentious: adjective]
ambition
Example
Her ambition to become a doctor led her to study hard and apply to medical school. [ambition: noun]
Example
He was ambitious in his career and worked long hours to get ahead. [ambitious: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ambition is more commonly used than pretension in everyday language. Ambition is a positive and widely accepted trait, while pretension is often viewed negatively and associated with insincerity or deception.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pretension and ambition?
Both pretension and ambition can be used in formal and informal contexts, but pretension is often associated with a more negative and informal tone, while ambition is associated with a more positive and formal tone.
