presumptuous
adjective
pre·sump·tu·ous
pri-ˈzəm(p)-chə-wəs 
-chəs,
-shəs
: overstepping due bounds (as of propriety or courtesy) : taking liberties
presumptuously
adverb
presumptuousness
noun
Examples of presumptuous in a Sentence
To Yale University, he was David Sneed. And some people called him that. Close friends called him Marc. Not wanting to appear presumptuous, I tried not to commit to either, waiting instead for a signal.
—
Peter Beinart, New Republic, 22 Jan. 1996
Professor Stegner mistook me, I fear, for an anti-intellectual, not understanding that I was in fact something far less presumptuous—a near-illiterate, especially compared to the rest of his blue-chip roster.
—Ken Kesey, New York Times Book Review, 31 Dec. 1989
To spy out the shape of God's Heaven was superfluous, presumptuous, and might prove blasphemous. Galileo was no better than a theological Peeping Tom.
—Daniel J. Boorstin, The Discoverers, 1983
it's a little presumptuous of you to assume that I'm your new best friend just because I invited you along
the presumptuous doctor didn't even bother to explain to me the treatment that I would be receiving
Peter Beinart, New Republic, 22 Jan. 1996
Professor Stegner mistook me, I fear, for an anti-intellectual, not understanding that I was in fact something far less presumptuous—a near-illiterate, especially compared to the rest of his blue-chip roster.
—Ken Kesey, New York Times Book Review, 31 Dec. 1989
To spy out the shape of God's Heaven was superfluous, presumptuous, and might prove blasphemous. Galileo was no better than a theological Peeping Tom.
—Daniel J. Boorstin, The Discoverers, 1983
it's a little presumptuous of you to assume that I'm your new best friend just because I invited you along
the presumptuous doctor didn't even bother to explain to me the treatment that I would be receiving
Recent Examples on the Web
The former athlete/coach-mind in me couldn’t help but cringe…is ND being too presumptuous here?
—Pete Sampson, The Athletic, 23 July 2024
Well, living in the present tense is perhaps being a bit presumptuous for Felicity, but which sister murdered whom and is now impersonating them is for Charlie to sort out.
—Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 9 May 2025
In the comments, many readers agreed that the boyfriend's sister is being presumptuous and unreasonable by asking the couple to put their plans on hold for her wedding.
—Erin Clack, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Maybe some person will be presumptuous enough to wonder aloud what might have influenced the plot of this book.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for presumptuous
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Pete Sampson, The Athletic, 23 July 2024
Well, living in the present tense is perhaps being a bit presumptuous for Felicity, but which sister murdered whom and is now impersonating them is for Charlie to sort out.
—Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 9 May 2025
In the comments, many readers agreed that the boyfriend's sister is being presumptuous and unreasonable by asking the couple to put their plans on hold for her wedding.
—Erin Clack, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Maybe some person will be presumptuous enough to wonder aloud what might have influenced the plot of this book.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for presumptuous
Cite this Entry
“Presumptuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/presumptuous. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
presumptuous
adjective
pre·sump·tu·ous
pri-ˈzəm(p)-ch(ə-w)əs
: going beyond what is proper
presumptuously
adverb
presumptuousness
noun
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