assume

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb assume contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of assume are affect, counterfeit, feign, pretend, sham, and simulate. While all these words mean "to put on a false or deceptive appearance," assume often implies a justifiable motive rather than an intent to deceive.

assumed an air of cheerfulness around the patients

When would affect be a good substitute for assume?

The words affect and assume are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, affect implies making a false show of possessing, using, or feeling.

affected an interest in art

In what contexts can counterfeit take the place of assume?

In some situations, the words counterfeit and assume are roughly equivalent. However, counterfeit implies achieving the highest degree of verisimilitude of any of these words.

an actor counterfeiting drunkenness

How does the word feign relate to other synonyms for assume?

Feign implies more artful invention than pretend, less specific mimicry than simulate.

feigned sickness

When is it sensible to use pretend instead of assume?

While in some cases nearly identical to assume, pretend implies an overt and sustained false appearance.

pretended that nothing had happened

When is sham a more appropriate choice than assume?

The words sham and assume can be used in similar contexts, but sham implies an obvious falseness that fools only the gullible.

shammed a most unconvincing limp

When might simulate be a better fit than assume?

The synonyms simulate and assume are sometimes interchangeable, but simulate suggests a close imitation of the appearance of something.

cosmetics that simulate a suntan

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of assume That’s assuming a 20% downpayment and ignoring property taxes, insurance and maybe even homeowner association dues. Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 20 June 2025 Certain information referenced in this article is provided via third-party sources and while such information is believed to be reliable, the author and Candide Group assume no responsibility for such information. Morgan Simon, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025 This is assuming that the above social media action is somewhat confirmation that Ramsey has found his next home. James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025 Sponsors may assume their site partners are ready, only to discover costly delays during study startup. Sonali Bloom, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for assume
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assume
Verb
  • The nine-member council now has until June 26 to accept or possibly override Gloria’s package of vetoes, with an override requiring a supermajority of six council members The council approved the budget last week in a 7-2 vote, making six votes for a veto override seem possible.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2025
  • The site accepts submissions of other pre-AI content sources through its Tumblr page.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • An unknown gunman shot the boy while inside an apartment on the 6400 block of South Ingleside Avenue just after 6 p.m., police said.
    Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2025
  • In addition to frequent password updates, individuals will need to be more alert about the increasing amount of malware hiding in illegitimate software, applications and other downloadable files, Valenzuela said.
    Dylan Butts, CNBC, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Instead of guessing or fabricating, the AI pulls directly from the current internal grievance protocol.
    Sagar Gupta, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • My personal favorite is Fishbowl, where players work to have teammates guess words, phrases, or characters written on slips of paper over three rounds.
    Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • The show then cut over to a Good Morning America clip that sees Haines pretend to faint when the superhero swings into frame.
    Emlyn Travis Published, EW.com, 26 June 2025
  • Have you ever been contacted by someone pretending to be Elon Musk?
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Under federal law, a business can face sanctions for knowingly hiring and employing unauthorized workers.
    Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 June 2025
  • Together, education and health services employ a million people in the Commonwealth.
    Alan M. Leventhal, Boston Herald, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • The investment in staging a race is significant thanks to construction and safety costs; they are largely shouldered by local promoters, who can be hard to find.
    Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2025
  • The proposal to underground the transmission line would force them to shoulder over half a billion dollars in additional costs, with no tangible benefit to reliability, safety, or performance.
    Barry Lee Cohen, Hartford Courant, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • This is in contrast to static scoring, which presumes all other economic factors stay constant.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 June 2025
  • The Leafs wouldn’t have to ask him to do quite so much, what with Chris Tanev and Brandon Carlo (presuming he isn’t moved this offseason) around on the right side.
    Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • We weren’t supposed to watch too much TV in our household, but that didn’t stop us.
    Maris Kreizman, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025
  • We aren’t even supposed to give straws, utensils or salad condiments without the guest requesting them.
    Ashley J. DiMella, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Assume.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assume. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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