proposition

verb

propositioned; propositioning ˌprä-pə-ˈzi-sh(ə-)niŋ 

transitive verb

: to make a proposal to

especially : to suggest sexual intercourse to

Examples of proposition in a Sentence

He was propositioned by a prostitute.

He got drunk and propositioned a woman sitting next to him in the bar.

Recent Examples on the Web

Matthew McConaughey is its hero, with a blonde Hathaway as his former lover who propositions him to kill her husband. —Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026

Gonzales was accused of propositioning two aides, including one woman who later committed suicide by setting herself on fire. —Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2026

The previously unreported messages establish that the congressman propositioned a subordinate years before his 2024 affair with Santos-Aviles, who later died by suicide. —Bayliss Wagner, San Antonio Express-News, 7 Apr. 2026

The series ends with Tariq propositioning Uncle Tommy to team up with him in New York, and while the offer is tempting, there’s so much to consider. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 9 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for proposition

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition

Kids Definition

proposition

noun

prop·​o·​si·​tion

ˌpräp-ə-ˈzish-ən

1

: something offered to be thought about or accepted : proposal

a business proposition

2

: an expression (as in logic) to be proved or explained

3

: something of a certain kind which one must deal with

the mine will never be a paying proposition

fixing that roof will be a tough proposition