presuppose

verb

pre·​sup·​pose ˌprē-sə-ˈpōz 

presupposed; presupposing; presupposes

transitive verb

1

: to suppose beforehand

2

: to require as an antecedent in logic or fact

presupposition

(ˌ)prē-ˌsə-pə-ˈzi-shən 

noun

presuppositional

(ˌ)prē-ˌsə-pə-ˈzi-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms of presuppose

• assume
• say
• presume
• believe
• suppose
• think

Examples of presuppose in a Sentence

The rule presupposes a need to restrict student access to the library.

the book presupposes its readers will already know something about the subject

Recent Examples on the Web

But the spat presupposed a society based on the rule of law, where a government agency would hear a legal argument in good faith rather than overriding it with power. — Stephen Harrison, Wired News, 15 Jan. 2026

In this case, the question presupposes that lowering the debt is best accomplished by cutting or restructuring programs. — Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 20 May 2026

Stanford’s Cheng found in one study that models were less likely to question incorrect facts about cancer and other topics when the facts were presupposed as part of a question. — Matthew Hutson, IEEE Spectrum, 11 Mar. 2026

However, this theory presupposes that the CIA even has anything to hide from the public to begin with. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 7 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French presupposer, from Medieval Latin praesupponere (perfect indicative praesupposui), from Latin prae- + Medieval Latin supponere to suppose — more at suppose

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for presuppose

• agarose
• aliquots
• amigos
• anthracnose
• bottlenose
• buffaloes
• bungalows
• calicoes
• cameos
• commandos
• conversos
• decompose

Kids Definition

presuppose

verb

pre·​sup·​pose ˌprē-sə-ˈpōz 

: to take something to be true : suppose ahead of time

the book presupposes its readers will know something about the subject

presupposition

(ˌ)prē-ˌsəp-ə-ˈzish-ən 

noun