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-ˈzish-nəl 

-ˈzi-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Synonyms

• 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

The framing already presupposes anthropocentrism. —Jonny Thomson, Big Think, 8 Oct. 2025

My question incorrectly presupposed that Kiffin had gotten over it. —Blake Toppmeyer, USA TODAY, 2 Oct. 2025

That phrase, au naturel, presupposes a commonsense distinction between nature and history. —Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025

That presupposes a sophomore jump-not-slump from QB Drake Maye. —Greg Cote september 4, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025

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