1
as in to accept
to take to or upon oneself
we promised to assume responsibility for any damage to the flower beds caused by the volleyball game in the backyard
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to say
to take as true or as a fact without actual proof
everyone assumed, wrongly, that someone else was bringing dessert
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to guess
to form an opinion from little or no evidence
as I just assumed it was too late to go out, I didn't think to ask
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to pretend
to present a false appearance of
she assumed an air of nonchalance even though she was wildly ecstatic she was going on the date
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in to employ
to provide with a paying job
assumed as partner by the prestigious law firm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of assume
Some viewers have assumed the show is meant to reflect nearby Mar-a-Lago, but even that comparison only goes so far.
—
Beth Landman, HollywoodReporter, 15 Jan. 2026
That’s assuming the Cubs don’t move him to second and trade Nick Hoerner, which would be the worst move by the organization since dealing Mark DeRosa and then signing Milton Bradley after the 2008 season.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
Then her water broke at the beach, and the couple rushed to the hospital, still assuming they’d be checked out and sent home.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
While Cardman, on her first spaceflight, is commander of Crew-11, Fincke, amid his fourth trip to space, had last December assumed command of the entire station leading what is now Expedition 74, and only relinquished it during a ceremony Monday.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for assume
Beth Landman, HollywoodReporter, 15 Jan. 2026
That’s assuming the Cubs don’t move him to second and trade Nick Hoerner, which would be the worst move by the organization since dealing Mark DeRosa and then signing Milton Bradley after the 2008 season.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
Then her water broke at the beach, and the couple rushed to the hospital, still assuming they’d be checked out and sent home.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
While Cardman, on her first spaceflight, is commander of Crew-11, Fincke, amid his fourth trip to space, had last December assumed command of the entire station leading what is now Expedition 74, and only relinquished it during a ceremony Monday.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for assume
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assume
Verb
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The restaurant is busy preparing for a big night of food and drinks, and is no longer accepting reservations due to high demand, instead going with a first-come-first-served policy.—
Victor Jacobo,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
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Unlike conventional recycling systems, the process accepts mixed plastic waste.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In Kyiv, a CNN reporter said that the attack began around midnight, starting with multiple drone strikes on residential buildings.—
Kosta Gak,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
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Due to cold temperatures, emergency medical services were contacted to evaluate her, authorities said.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Jenny did, in fact, guess you right away.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Jan. 2026
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Mamdani would not speculate on whether DCS would have handled the incidents that led to two tragic shootings by NYPD officers last week, but with clear guidelines for first response, no one will have to guess.—
Daniela Gilbert,
New York Daily News,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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To pretend as if everyone doesn’t recognize him.—
Mirin Fader,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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Parents reported that their children loved playing with the original Nékojita FuFu, pretending to fan their faces and blow-dry their hair.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The following three entries on the international top 5 liberally employ animation in their respective mise-en-scènes, but wouldn't qualify at the Golden Globes in the Best Animated Film category.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Jan. 2026
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If available, employ your fog lights.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Doncic had to shoulder the ball-handling load almost exclusively Wednesday without James and Reaves, who is sidelined until at least the end of the month because of a calf injury.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
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At 35, he’s being asked to shoulder one of the heftiest workloads of his career to pick up the slack for injured teammates Jalen Smith and Zach Collins.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Disclosure regimes typically presume the existence of an entity capable of providing information, making representations, and being held responsible for outcomes.—
Susie Violet Ward,
Forbes.com,
19 Jan. 2026
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The letter was apparently unconvincing, and the search began again, with detectives presuming suicide.—
Emily Krauser,
PEOPLE,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Or what are we supposed to make of that little revelation there?—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
14 Jan. 2026
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As part of the state’s NetZero by 2050 mandate, the Clean Heat Standard was originally supposed to take effect at the beginning of 2026.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Assume.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assume. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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