as in wary
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in accepting
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in saying
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 guessing
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in pretending
to present a false appearance of
she assumed an air of nonchalance even though she was wildly ecstatic she was going on the date
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5
as in employing
to provide with a paying job
assumed as partner by the prestigious law firm
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of assuming
Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 9 June 2026
After all, the injunction will last until a trial, assuming an NCAA appeal is unsuccessful, and a trial date might be scheduled after his college season ends.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 June 2026
But, there’s always a but, getting Giannis Antetokounmpo, unfortunately late in his productive career, would be just pie in the sky generating a tad bit of interest from fans, assuming of course the guy can still line up and give us minutes.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 8 June 2026
Semi-official Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA) separately reported that Naqvi carried a letter from Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who has continued to keep a low public profile since assuming his post in March.
—Dalia Abdelwahab, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
Drooping plants often just need a deep soak; always check soil moisture before assuming the worst.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 June 2026
Weeks go by with most people assuming that Ashe ran off or was killed as a result of his sketchy business dealings.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
More than a decade after assuming another Cup Final would come quickly, Hertl has learned not to take any of it for granted — not even the side quests.
—Jesse Granger, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta, recently serving as ambassador to Italy, is acquiring casino giant Caesars Entertainment for $6 billion cash and assuming $12 billion in debt.
—Christopher Helman, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Verb
For student loans, co-signer releases can happen after making a certain number of consecutive, on-time payments, assuming the lender offers co-signer releases.
—Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 9 June 2026
After all, the injunction will last until a trial, assuming an NCAA appeal is unsuccessful, and a trial date might be scheduled after his college season ends.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 June 2026
But, there’s always a but, getting Giannis Antetokounmpo, unfortunately late in his productive career, would be just pie in the sky generating a tad bit of interest from fans, assuming of course the guy can still line up and give us minutes.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 8 June 2026
Semi-official Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA) separately reported that Naqvi carried a letter from Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who has continued to keep a low public profile since assuming his post in March.
—Dalia Abdelwahab, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
Drooping plants often just need a deep soak; always check soil moisture before assuming the worst.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 June 2026
Weeks go by with most people assuming that Ashe ran off or was killed as a result of his sketchy business dealings.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
More than a decade after assuming another Cup Final would come quickly, Hertl has learned not to take any of it for granted — not even the side quests.
—Jesse Granger, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta, recently serving as ambassador to Italy, is acquiring casino giant Caesars Entertainment for $6 billion cash and assuming $12 billion in debt.
—Christopher Helman, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assuming
Adjective
-
Beijing is widely seen to be wary of that program, which has traditionally heightened American focus on the region and risks instability that could impact China, which shares a border with North Korea.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
-
Separately, some remain wary of the consequences of redundancies across certain functions.—
Meg Short,
Fortune,
7 June 2026
Verb
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Do is serving a five-year sentence in federal prison for accepting more than $550,000 in bribes to steer $10 million in pandemic relief funds to two nonprofits.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
-
Villegas built grassroots support in the heavily Latino, working-class district, running on policies such as Medicare for All and not accepting corporate money.—
Mathew Miranda
June 9,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Aiyuk appears to direct two common insults at the subject of the video — almost certainly the 49ers — by using the literal, nonprofane meanings of the terms rather than saying the vulgar words themselves.—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2026
-
But the result drew criticism online, with viewers saying the technology distorted the former Spurs star's facial features.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
Verb
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In the meantime, employers are left guessing whether the $100,000 charge applies to petitions filed today.—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
10 June 2026
-
Spielberg keeps us guessing what’s going on by opening at a wrestling match, a crowded place Daniel has chosen to make the exchange, trading the device for the return of Jane.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2026
Verb
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How might Infantino continue to profess neutrality while still clearly taking a side, pretending to listen to every voice while remaining obedient to only one?—
Chris Jones,
The Atlantic,
7 June 2026
-
Organizations that have spent decades pretending that the best way to find a new audience is to alienate your existing one are beginning to realize the cost of their folly.—
Philip Kennicott,
Washington Post,
7 June 2026
Verb
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The show also includes looks that are really about preserving the performer’s face and employing subtle transformations via stubble or smaller prosthetic pieces.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
4 June 2026
-
But luckily, Robert and Michelle King's The Good Wife spinoff is used to employing stage actors like Wendell Pierce, Carra Patterson, Christian Borle, Lindsay Mendez and Micaela Diamond.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
Adjective
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California officials, including Secretary of State Shirley Weber, have repeatedly refuted claims of fraud and, in fact, have defended the state’s slower process as critical to ensuring the counts are accurate.—
Linh Tat,
Daily News,
9 June 2026
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Remarkably, New York has actually been outscored by four points in his 75 total minutes through two games, yet his critical shot-making in the fourth quarters has come when his team has needed it most.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Alex Bregman went 2 for 3 with an RBI on a sacrifice fly after shouldering the blame Sunday for Chicago's offensive woes.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
-
Five or six men in dark trousers, with untucked shirts and loose jackets, hands in their pockets, shouldering off the wall and cutting slowly across the street, angling into the women’s path.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Assuming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assuming. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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