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
Synonyms
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
And his instinct to order another round of drinks without checking with his date is a little too presumptuous.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2024
But somehow that feels rude, presumptuous and a bit intrusive.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 14 Sep. 2024
How many authors could title their book simply World Order without sounding utterly presumptuous?
—Wolfgang Ischinger, Foreign Affairs, 1 Mar. 2015
At least since Dickie’s presumptuous disclosure of his sexuality in the last episode, a key has been slowly turning in Tom’s brain.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for presumptuous 
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2024
But somehow that feels rude, presumptuous and a bit intrusive.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 14 Sep. 2024
How many authors could title their book simply World Order without sounding utterly presumptuous?
—Wolfgang Ischinger, Foreign Affairs, 1 Mar. 2015
At least since Dickie’s presumptuous disclosure of his sexuality in the last episode, a key has been slowly turning in Tom’s brain.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for presumptuous
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'presumptuous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near presumptuous
Cite this Entry
“Presumptuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/presumptuous. Accessed 25 Oct. 2024.
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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