presuppose

1 of 2

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

presupposition

2 of 2

noun

pre·​sup·​po·​si·​tion ˌprēˌsəpəˈzishən 

: an act of presupposing or an assumption made in advance : a preliminary supposition : postulate

Synonyms of presuppose

Verb

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

Examples of presuppose in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

However, this theory presupposes that the CIA even has anything to hide from the public to begin with. —Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 7 Jan. 2026

There’s an improv-exercise quality to the premise, one that presupposes that adding more factors — a wacky aunt played by Jamie Lee Curtis, a weird brother played by Spike Fearn; Kumail Nanjiani is in the mix too — will somehow build out a more robust universe. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2025

The new arrangement under Xi presupposes the absence of rivals. —Deng Yuwen, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2025

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

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun

Middle French, from Medieval Latin praesupposition-, praesuppositio, from praesuppositus (past participle of praesupponere) + Latin -ion-, -io -ion

First Known Use

Verb

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