suppose

verb

sup·​pose sə-ˈpōz How to pronounce suppose (audio)
usually after "I" ˈspōz
supposed; supposing
Synonyms of suppose

transitive verb

1
a
: to lay down tentatively as a hypothesis, assumption, or proposal
suppose a fire broke out
suppose you bring the salad
b(1)
: to hold as an opinion : believe
they supposed they were early
(2)
: to think probable or in keeping with the facts
seems reasonable to suppose that he would profit
2
a
: conceive, imagine
b
: to have a suspicion of
3
: presuppose

intransitive verb

: conjecture, opine

Synonyms of suppose

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Examples of suppose in a Sentence

Suppose a fire broke out. How would we escape? Just suppose for a moment that you agreed with me. Supposing he refuses to help, what do we do then? The renovations will cost much more than we originally supposed.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Or suppose you’re being tormented by someone in power, but lack the ability to explain to others—or even to yourself—exactly how you’re being wronged. — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 24 July 2026 The Coachella performance was the height, and supposed end, of Brat summer—a global cultural phenomenon so big that Kamala Harris co-opted it during her presidential campaign. — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 24 July 2026 By late 2025, China’s real estate crash had erased roughly $18 trillion in household wealth — from the one asset that was never supposed to fall. — William Pesek, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 The film is also playing a one-week awards qualifying run in theaters in New York and Los Angeles in lieu of the full theatrical release it was originally supposed to get. — Joe Otterson, Variety, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for suppose

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French supposer, from Medieval Latin supponere (perfect indicative supposui), from Latin, to put under, substitute, from sub- + ponere to put — more at position

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of suppose was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing suppose

Rhymes for suppose

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Browse Nearby Words

supposal
suppose
supposed
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Cite this Entry

“Suppose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suppose. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

suppose

verb
sup·​pose sə-ˈpōz How to pronounce suppose (audio)
supposed; supposing
1
: to take as true or as a fact for the sake of argument
suppose a fire should break out
2
: to hold as an opinion : believe
they supposed they were on the right bus
3
: to come to a conclusion arrived at by guessing
who do you suppose will win

More from Merriam-Webster on suppose

Nglish: Translation of suppose for Spanish Speakers

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