presume

verb

pri-ˈzüm How to pronounce presume (audio)
Definition of presumenext
1
as in to assume
to form an opinion from little or no evidence I presume you'll fly if you do go

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to say
to take as true or as a fact without actual proof we should presume that a person is innocent until proven guilty

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of presume Lui remains presumed innocent unless prosecutors prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt in court. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026 This likely will be the only season that viewers will be able to watch most Heat games on WPLG, presuming the NBA goes ahead with plans to centralize teams’ local rights and sell them to a national streamer next season. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026 Homeownership has long been a marker of the American Dream, but this dream presumes autonomy, voice and equitable treatment. — Stephanie A. Dhuman, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026 Digger is wealthy, self-absorbed, insulated in his own reality, and sees himself as the center of the world in a way that many of us presume huge movie stars like Tom Cruise do. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for presume
Recent Examples of Synonyms for presume
  1. assume
  2. say
  3. guess
  4. believe
  5. suppose
  6. think
  7. suspect
Verb
  • The film follows a Polish burglar who assumes the identity of a dead stranger’s girlfriend, with unexpected results.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2026
  • And, of course, anyone who remembers the optimistic hordes streaming up Michigan Avenue after Barack Obama made his victory speech for president of the United States in Grant Park well knows the local benefits of a Chicagoan assuming the presidency.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of assume
Verb
  • After the premiere the other day, [Jones] says, ‘Thanks for paying attention to the character Waylon, because most people wouldn’t.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The company said its team can currently build a robot in about a day, with a target of reducing the process to roughly an hour next year.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of say
Verb
  • So two games into the National League Championship Series, guess which team’s relief corps has been lights out and which one has been lit up?
    — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Police did not specify which roller coaster was involved in the incident, but CBS News Atlanta cameras saw that the park's Goliath ride was shut down, and guess were being evacuated.
    — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of guess
Verb
  • Fennel believes the Halifax team may eventually pin its estimate to within 10 percent.
    — Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The Hulu series also stars Sam Nivola as a teenager who awakens from a coma after an accident believing his mother (Britton) is an impostor.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of believe
Verb
  • The three children and a teacher shot to death at Silver Rail Elementary School in central Oregon were in a classroom dedicated to students with special needs – an environment that’s supposed to be nurturing, safe and supportive.
    — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026
  • More problematic was the character’s heritage; he’s supposed to be half-English and half-Paraguayan, and to say Gere’s accent is inconsistent would be charitable.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of suppose
Verb
  • After writing the first episode of Season 2, Harjo immediately thought of Jones for the part as Lee’s father.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Internally, the company thinks of itself as having the heft of a Lionsgate or even a Sony.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of think
Verb
  • The diagnosis had been suspected based on testing conducted before the procedure, according to the Holy See Press Office.
    — Angelica Stabile , Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Sacramento County sheriff’s detectives arrested two men Tuesday suspected of stealing cash during an armed robbery in August at a North Highlands smoke shop.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of suspect

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Cite this Entry

“Presume.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/presume. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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