presumptive

adjective

pre·sump·tive | \ pri-ˈzəm(p)-tiv

Definition of presumptive

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

Other Words from presumptive Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing presumptive Learn More About presumptive

Examples of presumptive in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web Trump was the presumptive Republican nominee for president when Cadillac chose not to renew as tournament sponsor and the PGA Tour left Doral for Mexico and the sponsorship of Grupo Salinas. — oregonlive, 25 Apr. 2022 Trump was the presumptive Republican nominee for president when Cadillac chose not to renew as tournament sponsor and the PGA Tour left Doral for Mexico and the sponsorship of Grupo Salinas. — Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2022 Antwuan Jackson would be the presumptive starter, but he was not seen in the media’s viewing windows at practice on Tuesday or Wednesday. — Nathan Baird, cleveland, 31 Dec. 2021 Whether Tyler Phommachanh, who is out indefinitely, or Steve Krajewski, the presumptive starter, is at quarterback, UConn is profiting from the development of its receivers, Keelan Marion, Aaron Turner and Kevens Clercius, and tight end Jay Rose. — Dom Amore, courant.com, 8 Oct. 2021 Alabama coach Nick Saban said Tuesday that sophomore quarterback Bryce Young, the team’s presumptive starter in 2021, has already earned close to $1 million in endorsement deals. — Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 13 Aug. 2021 Brown took on the full role as Oregon’s presumptive starter in the spring while freshmen Jay Butterfield, Robby Ashford and Ty Thompson split second-team reps. — oregonlive, 27 July 2021 First, the Bruins will need to land more shots, particularly against the aged Anderson, the presumptive starter, now less than a week away from his 40th birthday. — BostonGlobe.com, 16 May 2021 The 49ers, with Garoppolo as their presumptive starter, couldn’t match the opportunity and money that Washington and Chicago offered Fitzpatrick and Dalton, respectively. — Eric Branch, San Francisco Chronicle, 16 Mar. 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'presumptive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.