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.
Joe Gyan Jr.He was admitted to the hospital with a presumptive diagnosis of cellulitis.—Mary Jo Bonner
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
The Journal of the American Medical Association3
: 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
Examples of presumptive in a Sentence
in that climate of fear, an accusation alone was presumptive evidence of guilt
Recent Examples on the Web
Party leaders from both sides in Congress have often stayed neutral until a presumptive nominee emerged from the primaries.
—Bridget Bowman, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2023
The Department of Veterans Affairs has Parkinson's disease listed as a presumptive condition for veterans who served at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days from 1953 to 1987 and were not dishonorably discharged.
—Mike Brest, Washington Examiner, 15 May 2023
But Trump is, if not the presumptive Republican nominee for the 2024 election, then certainly the likeliest candidate.
—Grace Segers, The New Republic, 10 Oct. 2023
Texas is one of 28 states that does not offer presumptive eligibility for children in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and one of 11 states that has not expanded Medicaid eligibility under the Affordable Care Act.
—Sasha Richie, Dallas News, 14 Sep. 2023
Colorado’s presumptive departure to the Big 12 next summer will leave the Pac-12 with nine teams for the 2024 football season.
—Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 31 July 2023
Forte will be the presumptive favorite having last raced in the Florida Derby on April 1.
—John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2023
Like – and this debate was sort of separate from what the presumptive nominations are going to be for both parties.
—Nbc Universal, NBC News, 27 Aug. 2023
This includes proposals to allow states to extend presumptive eligibility to families, and encouraging states to allow all families to enroll for benefits online.
—Sabrina Eaton, cleveland, 25 Aug. 2023
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Bridget Bowman, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2023
The Department of Veterans Affairs has Parkinson's disease listed as a presumptive condition for veterans who served at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days from 1953 to 1987 and were not dishonorably discharged.
—Mike Brest, Washington Examiner, 15 May 2023
But Trump is, if not the presumptive Republican nominee for the 2024 election, then certainly the likeliest candidate.
—Grace Segers, The New Republic, 10 Oct. 2023
Texas is one of 28 states that does not offer presumptive eligibility for children in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and one of 11 states that has not expanded Medicaid eligibility under the Affordable Care Act.
—Sasha Richie, Dallas News, 14 Sep. 2023
Colorado’s presumptive departure to the Big 12 next summer will leave the Pac-12 with nine teams for the 2024 football season.
—Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 31 July 2023
Forte will be the presumptive favorite having last raced in the Florida Derby on April 1.
—John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2023
Like – and this debate was sort of separate from what the presumptive nominations are going to be for both parties.
—Nbc Universal, NBC News, 27 Aug. 2023
This includes proposals to allow states to extend presumptive eligibility to families, and encouraging states to allow all families to enroll for benefits online.
—Sabrina Eaton, cleveland, 25 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'presumptive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of presumptive was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing presumptive
Dictionary Entries Near presumptive
Cite this Entry
“Presumptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/presumptive. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
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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
More from Merriam-Webster on presumptive
Nglish: Translation of presumptive for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of presumptive for Arabic Speakers
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