presumptive

adjective

pre·sump·tive | \ pri-ˈzəm(p)-tiv

Definition of presumptive

1 : based on probability or presumption the presumptive nominee

2 : giving grounds for reasonable opinion or belief

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

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Examples of presumptive in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Democrats are seemingly quite content with their presumptive nominee, Kyrsten Sinema. — Chris Stirewalt, Fox News, "Power Rankings: Not so peachy primaries," 9 July 2018 But when asked more general or less presumptive questions, these participants kept such negative information to themselves. — Eric Vanepps, Time, "The Best Way to Get People to Tell the Truth, According to Science," 11 July 2018 Those injuries sent Embiid sliding down from the presumptive No. 1 pick in that year's draft, slipping to the eagerly awaiting Sixers at No. — The Crossover Staff, SI.com, "What's LeBron's Best Option This Summer? Debating 10 Teams and One Crazy Idea," 5 June 2018 Even the fifth and final postseason berth in the American League — the second wild-card spot, most likely — has a presumptive favorite. — Ted Berg, For The Win, "The American League postseason races could be historically boring," 5 July 2018 For the Republicans, eight of 12 current members are presumptive winners in the primary, pending the final count of absentee and provisional ballots scheduled for Thursday morning. — Staff Report, The Aegis, "Harford central committees will have new, several old faces," 2 July 2018 Then there is the case of Mary Matalin, the former George H.W. Bush deputy campaign manager, who ditched the Republican Party and registered as a Libertarian when Trump became the GOP's presumptive nominee in the spring of 2016. — Callum Borchers, Washington Post, "Steve Schmidt, Never Trumpers and life after the GOP," 20 June 2018 But Robert Wilkie, President Donald Trump’s presumptive nominee to head the department, is the opposite—a long-serving public official steeped in federal bureaucracy. — Ben Kesling, WSJ, "At Veterans Affairs, Trump to Try His Luck With a Washington Insider," 15 June 2018 Among the Republicans quick to call for Esty’s resignation was Manny Santos, a former Republican mayor in Connecticut and Esty’s presumptive opponent in November’s election. — Joseph Weber, Fox News, "Washington Democrats silent on calls for Rep. Esty to resign over harassment, abuse case," 2 Apr. 2018

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.