suppose

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verb sup·pose \ sə-ˈpōz , usually after "I" ˈspōz \

Definition of suppose

supposed; supposing

transitive verb

1 a :to lay down tentatively as a hypothesis, assumption, or proposal

suppose a fire broke out

suppose you bring the salad

b (1) :to hold as an opinion :believe

they supposed they were early

(2) :to think probable or in keeping with the facts

seems reasonable to suppose that he would profit

2 a :conceive, imagine

b :to have a suspicion of

3 :presuppose

intransitive verb

:conjecture, opine

See suppose defined for English-language learners

See suppose defined for kids

Examples of suppose in a Sentence

Suppose a fire broke out. How would we escape?
Just suppose for a moment that you agreed with me.
Supposing he refuses to help, what do we do then?
The renovations will cost much more than we originally supposed.

Recent Examples of suppose from the Web

A program that is supposed to pay for itself is clearly not doing so.

— Washington Post, "AP Explains: Harvey shows strain on flood insurance program," 31 Aug. 2017
The board earlier this week sued Gov. Ricardo Rossello for refusing to implement measures including a 10 percent cut to a public pension system that officials say is running out of money and furloughs that are supposed to go into effect on Friday.

— danica coto, The Seattle Times, "Hundreds of Puerto Ricans protest, decry austerity measures," 30 Aug. 2017
In a letter sent to the 200 housing authorities in the 23 metropolitan areas that were supposed to implement the program starting on October 1, HUD said that its research suggested a need for more analysis of the costs and benefits of the program.

— alana semuels, The Atlantic, "Trump Administration Puts on Hold an Obama-Era Desegregation Effort," 30 Aug. 2017
The state also decided to repair a beach lodge using $58 million that was supposed to be for restoring natural resources.

— christopher harress, AL.com, "How was the Deepwater Horizon BP Settlement money spent?," 30 Aug. 2017
Lottery proceeds by state law are supposed to go for college financial aid, though in years past lawmakers routinely have dipped into the money for budget shortfalls in other areas.

— deborah yetter, The Courier-Journal, "Gov. Bevin outlines concerns about state's public pension crisis during Facebook Live Q&A," 28 Aug. 2017
Some people (especially Melisandre) thought Azor Ahai was supposed be Stannis Baratheon, but that clearly didn't work out.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "14 Game of Thrones Theories That Will Blow Your Mind in Season 7," 23 Aug. 2017
Other publications, such as the Telegraph and the New Statesman, followed suit, decrying Whedon's supposed feminist ideals.

— travis m. andrews, chicagotribune.com, "'Hypocrite preaching feminist ideals': Director Joss Whedon's ex-wife accuses him of cheating," 22 Aug. 2017
That money was supposed to be used for the meeting and merchandise branded with the band's name to be sold in China.

— gabe bergado, Teen Vogue, "Fake BTS Fan Meeting Scam Lands Man in Legal Trouble," 22 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'suppose.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of suppose

Middle English, from Anglo-French supposer, from Medieval Latin supponere (perfect indicative supposui), from Latin, to put under, substitute, from sub- + ponere to put — more at position

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First Known Use: 14th century

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suppose Synonyms

Synonyms

calculate, call, conjecture, figure, gauge (also gage), guess, judge, make, place, put, reckon, estimate

Related Words

conclude, deduce, extrapolate, gather, infer, reason, understand

Near Antonyms

calibrate, measure, scale; compute, work out

SUPPOSE Defined for English Language Learners

suppose

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verb

Definition of suppose for English Language Learners

: to think of (something) as happening or being true in order to imagine what might happen
: to believe (something) to be true
: to believe (something) to be possible