supposition

1 an idea that is the starting point for making a case or conducting an investigation <my supposition is that this grape variety, which flourishes in southern France, should do equally well here, given the similar climate> Synonyms hypothesis, proposition, theory, thesisRelated Words assumption, concession, premise (also premiss), presumption, presupposition, theorem; conjecture, generalization, guess, guesswork, inference, speculation, surmise; proffer, proposal, suggestion; feeling, hunch, impression, inkling, notion, suspicion; abstraction, concept, conception, constructNear Antonyms assurance, certainty, fact, knowledge

2 an opinion or judgment based on little or no evidence <it's pure supposition on your part that there's something illegal going on next door> Synonyms guess, shot, conjecture, surmiseRelated Words hypothesis, hypothetical, theory, thesis; dead reckoning, guessing, guesswork, speculation; hunch, intuition; belief, faith

3 something taken as being true or factual and used as a starting point for a course of action or reasoning <worthless genetic research that was based on the erroneous supposition that acquired characteristics can be passed on to offspring> Synonyms given, hypothetical, if, postulate, premise (also premiss), presumption, presupposition, assumptionRelated Words hypothesis, proposition, theory, thesis; axiom, truism, verity; belief, canon, doctrine, dogma, gospel, law; precept, principle, rule, standard, tenet; basis, foundation, ground; conclusion, deduction, inference; affirmation, assertion, avouchment, declaration; dictum, ipse dixit