presumptive

adjective

pre·​sump·​tive pri-ˈzəm(p)-tiv 

1

: based on probability or presumption

the presumptive nominee/winner

see also heir presumptive

2

: giving grounds for reasonable opinion or belief

A blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent is considered presumptive evidence of drunken driving in Louisiana for those 21 and older.

—Joe Gyan Jr.

He was admitted to the hospital with a presumptive diagnosis of cellulitis.

—Mary Jo Bonner

… health departments in 20 states reported 100 presumptive or confirmed human cases of arboviral disease …

—The Journal of the American Medical Association

3

: being an embryonic precursor with the potential for forming a particular structure or tissue in the normal course of development

presumptive retina

presumptively adverb

Synonyms of presumptive

• plausible
• credible
• probable

Examples of presumptive in a Sentence

in that climate of fear, an accusation alone was presumptive evidence of guilt

Recent Examples on the Web

Several Democrats are vying for the chance to take on presumptive Republican nominee Brinker Harding, a member of the Omaha City Council who is running unopposed in the GOP primary. —Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 12 May 2026

Booker, who is up for reelection in 2026 himself, is largely expected to hold his seat as the presumptive Democratic nominee for the seat in blue New Jersey. —Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2026

The Broncos have presumptive starters Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad locked in on multi-year deals. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 8 May 2026

But when asked if Richardson will now compete with Leonard, the presumptive backup, for the QB2 role, Steichen quickly sidestepped the topic. —James Boyd, New York Times, 8 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing presumptive

• heir presumptive

Rhymes for presumptive

• consumptive

Medical Definition

presumptive

adjective

pre·​sump·​tive pri-ˈzəm(p)-tiv 

1

: expected to develop in a particular direction under normal conditions

presumptive regions of the blastula

2

: being the embryonic precursor of

presumptive neural tissue

3

: giving grounds for reasonable opinion

a presumptive diagnosis of dengue

presumptive or confirmed cases of communicable disease

Legal Definition

presumptive

adjective

pre·​sump·​tive pri-ˈzəmp-tiv 

1

: based on presumption : presumed to have occurred

a presumptive violation of law

2

: giving grounds for reasonable opinion or belief

presumptively adverb