Pretention is a feeling or attitude of superiority, often coupled with an inflated sense of self-importance. However, there are several synonyms that can be used in place of the word pretention. Some of these synonyms include pretentiousness, haughtiness, arrogance, pompousness, conceit, snobbery, and superiority complex. Each of these words conveys an attitude of self-importance or an overestimation of one's abilities, but they differ slightly in their connotations. Pretentiousness implies a desire to impress others, while haughtiness suggests disdain or contempt for those perceived as lesser. Arrogance and conceit both imply an inflated sense of self-worth, while snobbery connotes an attitude of disdain for things or people deemed inferior.