presumptuous
adjective
pre·sump·tu·ous
pri-ˈzəm(p)-chə-wəs 
-chəs,
-shəs
: overstepping due bounds (as of propriety or courtesy) : taking liberties
presumptuously
adverb
presumptuousness
noun
Examples of presumptuous in a Sentence
To Yale University, he was David Sneed. And some people called him that. Close friends called him Marc. Not wanting to appear presumptuous, I tried not to commit to either, waiting instead for a signal.
—
Peter Beinart, New Republic, 22 Jan. 1996
Professor Stegner mistook me, I fear, for an anti-intellectual, not understanding that I was in fact something far less presumptuous—a near-illiterate, especially compared to the rest of his blue-chip roster.
—Ken Kesey, New York Times Book Review, 31 Dec. 1989
To spy out the shape of God's Heaven was superfluous, presumptuous, and might prove blasphemous. Galileo was no better than a theological Peeping Tom.
—Daniel J. Boorstin, The Discoverers, 1983
it's a little presumptuous of you to assume that I'm your new best friend just because I invited you along
the presumptuous doctor didn't even bother to explain to me the treatment that I would be receiving
Peter Beinart, New Republic, 22 Jan. 1996
Professor Stegner mistook me, I fear, for an anti-intellectual, not understanding that I was in fact something far less presumptuous—a near-illiterate, especially compared to the rest of his blue-chip roster.
—Ken Kesey, New York Times Book Review, 31 Dec. 1989
To spy out the shape of God's Heaven was superfluous, presumptuous, and might prove blasphemous. Galileo was no better than a theological Peeping Tom.
—Daniel J. Boorstin, The Discoverers, 1983
it's a little presumptuous of you to assume that I'm your new best friend just because I invited you along
the presumptuous doctor didn't even bother to explain to me the treatment that I would be receiving
Recent Examples on the Web
On its face, this behavior is perplexing, presumptuous even.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 11 Oct. 2025
Thanks in advance' This phrase can seem presumptuous, undermining the other person's ability to say no.
—Melody Wilding, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
For someone to assume that, because they have been invited one year, they are entitled to celebrate with you in perpetuity is presumptuous.
—Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Going to say that’s a little bit presumptuous, Netflix.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for presumptuous
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R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 11 Oct. 2025
Thanks in advance' This phrase can seem presumptuous, undermining the other person's ability to say no.
—Melody Wilding, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
For someone to assume that, because they have been invited one year, they are entitled to celebrate with you in perpetuity is presumptuous.
—Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Going to say that’s a little bit presumptuous, Netflix.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for presumptuous
Cite this Entry
“Presumptuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/presumptuous. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
presumptuous
adjective
pre·sump·tu·ous
pri-ˈzəm(p)-ch(ə-w)əs
: going beyond what is proper
presumptuously
adverb
presumptuousness
noun
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