presuppose

verb

pre·​sup·​pose ˌprē-sə-ˈpōz 

presupposed; presupposing; presupposes

transitive verb

1

: to suppose beforehand

2

: to require as an antecedent in logic or fact

presupposition

(ˌ)prē-ˌsə-pə-ˈzi-shən 

noun

presuppositional

(ˌ)prē-ˌsə-pə-ˈzi-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms of presuppose

• assume
• say
• presume
• believe
• suppose
• think

Examples of presuppose in a Sentence

The rule presupposes a need to restrict student access to the library.

the book presupposes its readers will already know something about the subject

Recent Examples on the Web

Hence, any thought experiment that presupposes an AGI often supposes an ASI. — Geoffrey Irving, Time, 3 Oct. 2026

The film pulls an Old Custer and presupposes that maybe Monroe didn’t die at the age of 36, juxtaposing a 100-year-old Marilyn with one in her 30s played by Johnson. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026

But the samurai genre already presupposes a fictitious otherworldly place, and everyday normalcy simply doesn’t exist there, Kurosawa said. — ABC News, 29 July 2026

Reports citing human capabilities undoubtedly presuppose typical human brain proficiency based on effort. — Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French presupposer, from Medieval Latin praesupponere (perfect indicative praesupposui), from Latin prae- + Medieval Latin supponere to suppose — more at suppose

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for presuppose

• agarose
• aliquots
• amigos
• anthracnose
• bottlenose
• buffaloes
• bungalows
• calicoes
• cameos
• commandos
• conversos
• decompose

Kids Definition

presuppose

verb

pre·​sup·​pose ˌprē-sə-ˈpōz 

: to take something to be true : suppose ahead of time

the book presupposes its readers will know something about the subject

presupposition

(ˌ)prē-ˌsəp-ə-ˈzish-ən 

noun