Pretentious vs. Portentous — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 29, 2024
Pretentious people try to impress by pretending to be more important; portentous refers to something ominously significant or indicative of future events.
Difference Between Pretentious and Portentous
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Pretentious behavior is characterized by an affectation of importance or quality to impress others, often lacking authenticity or substance. On the other hand, portentous describes events, signs, or words that hint at significant or calamitous future happenings.
In social contexts, pretentious individuals might adopt manners or tastes not natural to them to seem more sophisticated or cultured, whereas portentous expressions or actions are laden with grave implications or forewarnings.
Pretentious art, literature, or speech strives to appear deeply intellectual or highbrow, usually coming off as forced or insincere. Portentous, however, refers to the serious and often unsettling significance conveyed, usually as a warning or prophecy.
A pretentious person may be seen as insufferable or vain due to their superficial display of qualities they believe desirable. Conversely, a portentous scenario or remark usually invokes unease or contemplation due to its implication of impending impact.
While pretentiousness is often criticized in social and cultural discourse for its lack of genuineness, the portentous nature of certain communications or events is typically regarded with seriousness and concern due to the potential consequences they suggest.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Attempting to impress by affecting greater importance or merit than is actually possessed.
Ominously significant; foreboding or foreshadowing future events, especially negative ones.
Context Usage
Social behavior, cultural expressions.
Events, signs, narratives.
Connotation
Negative, implying affectation and lack of authenticity.
Negative, implying a sense of looming danger or importance.
Typical Scenarios
Inflated self-presentation in social settings.
Forewarnings or prophetic indications in stories or real-life scenarios.
Perception
Often viewed as insincere or superficial.
Considered serious and contemplative.
Compare with Definitions
Pretentious
Attempting to impress by pretending to be more important or knowledgeable than is true.
He made a pretentious display of his minor acquaintance with the director.
Portentous
Relating to or constituting a portent.
The eerie calm in the city felt portentous.
Pretentious
Making demands on one's skill, ability, or means.
The chef’s pretentious menu featured exotic ingredients unfamiliar to many.
Portentous
Ominously significant or indicative.
The cloudy morning was portentous of the stormy day ahead.
Pretentious
Characterized by assumption of dignity or importance.
The author’s pretentious writing style did not appeal to the average reader.
Portentous
Exciting wonder and awe.
The portentous appearance of a comet in the sky drew crowds to the observatory.
Pretentious
Ostentatious. intended to attract notice and impress others.
Their house is decorated with pretentious marble sculptures.
Portentous
Foreboding. having a feeling that something bad is going to happen.
There was a portentous silence before the announcement was made.
Pretentious
Attempting to impress by affecting greater importance or merit than is actually possessed
The pretentious jargon of wine experts
Pretentious art films
Portentous
Done in a pompously or overly solemn manner so as to impress.
The judge spoke in a portentous tone that intimidated the courtroom.
Pretentious
Claiming that or behaving as if one is important or deserving of merit when such is not the case
A pretentious socialite.
Portentous
Of or like a portent; of momentous significance
This portentous year in Canadian history
Pretentious
Showing or betraying an attitude of superiority
Made pretentious remarks about his education.
Portentous
Of the nature of or constituting a portent; foreboding
"The present aspect of society is portentous of great change" (Edward Bellamy).
Pretentious
Marked by an extravagant or presumptuous outward show; ostentatious
A pretentious house.
Portentous
Full of unspecifiable significance; exciting wonder and awe
"Such a portentous and mysterious monster roused all my curiosity" (Herman Melville).
Pretentious
Intended to impress others.
Her dress was obviously more pretentious than comfortable.
Portentous
Marked by pompousness; pretentiously weighty.
Pretentious
Marked by an unwarranted claim to importance or distinction.
Their song titles are pretentious in the context of their basic lyrics.
Portentous
Of momentous or ominous significance.
Pretentious
Full of pretension; disposed to lay claim to more than is one's; presuming; assuming.
Portentous
Ominously prophetic.
Pretentious
Making claim to or creating an appearance of (often undeserved) importance or distinction;
A pretentious country house
A pretentious fraud
A pretentious scholarly edition
Portentous
Puffed up with vanity.
Pretentious
Intended to attract notice and impress others;
An ostentatious sable coat
Portentous
Of the nature of a portent; containing portents; foreshadowing, esp. foreshadowing ill; ominous.
For, I believe, they are portentous things.
Victories of strange and almost portentous splendor.
Pretentious
Of a display that is tawdry or vulgar
Portentous
Hence: Monstrous; prodigious; wonderful; dreadful; as, a beast of portentous size.
Portentous
Of momentous or ominous significance;
Such a portentous...monster raised all my curiosity
A prodigious vision
Portentous
Of ominous significance
Portentous
Puffed up with vanity;
A grandiloquent and boastful manner
Overblown oratory
A pompous speech
Pseudo-scientific gobbledygook and pontifical hooey
Common Curiosities
What does it mean when a person is described as pretentious?
It means they are trying to seem more important or cultured than they really are, often through affected behavior.
How can a situation be portentous?
A situation can be portentous if it serves as a sign or warning of future events, particularly significant or disastrous ones.
Can an artwork be pretentious?
Yes, artwork can be considered pretentious if it tries to appear more profound or valuable than it is generally perceived to be.
How do I identify if someone is being pretentious?
Look for signs of affectation or a deliberate attempt to impress others with exaggerated qualities or knowledge they might not possess.
What might be considered a portentous moment in history?
Any event that significantly altered the course of history, such as the assassination of an important figure, could be considered portentous.
What is a portentous symbol in literature?
A portentous symbol in literature is one that predicts future events, often serving as a warning or indication of the narrative’s direction.
Why do people dislike pretentious behavior?
Because it often involves a dishonest or exaggerated presentation of oneself, which can be seen as insincere.
What are the consequences of a portentous event?
The consequences are typically serious and may include a change in circumstances or the onset of a significant challenge or disaster.
How does portentous relate to prophecy?
Portentous often relates to elements that are prophetic, predicting or hinting at future events, usually of a grave nature.
How can I use "portentous" in a sentence?
"The dark, swirling clouds above the ship were portentous of an impending storm."
Can pretentiousness ever be positive?
Generally, pretentiousness is viewed negatively, but some may see it as a sign of aspirational behavior or ambitiousness.
Is being called pretentious offensive?
Yes, it is usually considered an insult as it implies a lack of authenticity and superficiality.
Can fashion be pretentious?
Yes, fashion can be pretentious when it is overly elaborate or tries to convey a sense of sophistication that is perceived as inauthentic.
What makes a novel or a movie pretentious?
A novel or movie may be called pretentious if it seems to deliberately use complex or obscure content or style to impress critics, often at the expense of genuine quality or accessibility.
What is the difference between portentous and important?
While both imply significance, portentous also conveys a sense of foreboding or impending consequence that is not necessarily present with importance.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
