How do you pronounce "pretensions"?

In American English: /prəˈtɛnʃənz/ (pruh-TEHNSH-uhnz). In British English: /pɹɪtˈɛnʃənz/ (prit-EHNSH-uhnz). In Canadian English: /prəˈtɛnʃənz/ (pruh-TEHNSH-uhnz). In Australian English: /pɹɪtˈɛnʃənz/ (prit-EHNSH-uhnz).

Is "pretensions" pronounced differently in American and British English?

Yes. In American English it's pronounced /prəˈtɛnʃənz/ (pruh-TEHNSH-uhnz), while in British English it's /pɹɪtˈɛnʃənz/ (prit-EHNSH-uhnz).

How to Pronounce "pretensions"

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pretensions

regional

/prəˈtɛnʃənz/

pruh-TEHNSH-uhnz

Syllable Breakdown

prəpre·tɛnʃten·ənzsions

Source

80%confidence📘 CMU Pronouncing Dictionary v0.7b

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Last updated: 2026-02-14