posit

verb

pos·​it ˈpä-zət 

posited ˈpä-zə-təd 

ˈpäz-təd

; positing ˈpä-zə-tiŋ 

ˈpäz-tiŋ

transitive verb

1

: to dispose or set firmly : fix

2

: to assume or affirm the existence of : postulate

3

: to propose as an explanation : suggest

Examples of posit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Fink asked, positing that current spending levels might actually be insufficient to broaden the global economy. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 21 Jan. 2026

The theory posits that the violations could not be prosecuted as crimes under the Clean Air Act, and could only be pursued as civil offenses. —Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026

Yogananda’s book, The Second Coming of Christ, posits that the Second Coming is not necessarily literal, but instead entails an awakening of the divine consciousness in ourselves. —Rina Raphael, The Atlantic, 20 Jan. 2026

The Dilbert principle — traced back to a quote in a 1995 strip — posited that managers and higher-ups are actually successful morons whose stubbornness is confused for real leadership qualities. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 13 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin positus, past participle of ponere

First Known Use

1645, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for posit

• closet
• composite
• deposit
• nanocomposite
• oviposit