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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in employing
to provide with a paying job
assumed as partner by the prestigious law firm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in wary
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 assuming
Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Since assuming office in late 2023, Milei has wielded a chainsaw approach to government reform in Argentina.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
That’s assuming that there is a cheaper substitute.
—Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 26 Oct. 2025
If Berkshire had kept all its shares, the stake would have been valued at $241 billion today instead of the current $74 billion (assuming there hasn't been any movement in the third quarter), a $167 billion gap.
—Alex Crippen, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2025
Passing Through the Shadows To see how one cube can pass through another, imagine holding a cube over a table and examining its shadow (assuming it’s illuminated from above).
—Erica Klarreich, Quanta Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Western leaders largely dismissed these overt signals, assuming Putin would not be reckless enough to risk crippling sanctions, economic isolation, and a costly war.
—Big Think, 20 Oct. 2025
Over-Fussing with the Menu Southerners can be guilty of always assuming there needs to be a table buckling under the weight of food, but there is no need to overthink the menu.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
Jenner later posted a screenshot of her on FaceTime with Bieber that prominently featured their eyebrows, leading to internet users assuming the pair were shading Gomez.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
According to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, the tariffs would cover roughly two-thirds of the primary deficit impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act over five years—or four-fifths over a decade, assuming temporary provisions expire on schedule.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Since assuming office in late 2023, Milei has wielded a chainsaw approach to government reform in Argentina.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
That’s assuming that there is a cheaper substitute.
—Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 26 Oct. 2025
If Berkshire had kept all its shares, the stake would have been valued at $241 billion today instead of the current $74 billion (assuming there hasn't been any movement in the third quarter), a $167 billion gap.
—Alex Crippen, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2025
Passing Through the Shadows To see how one cube can pass through another, imagine holding a cube over a table and examining its shadow (assuming it’s illuminated from above).
—Erica Klarreich, Quanta Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Western leaders largely dismissed these overt signals, assuming Putin would not be reckless enough to risk crippling sanctions, economic isolation, and a costly war.
—Big Think, 20 Oct. 2025
Over-Fussing with the Menu Southerners can be guilty of always assuming there needs to be a table buckling under the weight of food, but there is no need to overthink the menu.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
Jenner later posted a screenshot of her on FaceTime with Bieber that prominently featured their eyebrows, leading to internet users assuming the pair were shading Gomez.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assuming
Verb
-
Pierce acknowledged the stigma around accepting food aid, especially in a conservative state like Idaho.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Lauro, himself a former federal prosecutor, previously represented former NBA official Tim Donaghy, who was charged with betting on league games and accepting bribes to influence his calls.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
There is certainly one moral argument for taking games overseas, for saying that fans who follow their team from all corners of the world deserve to have their game and their heroes brought to them.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Here’s what else analysts are saying before Tesla’s latest earnings report.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Gilligan wants to keep viewers guessing, and this trailer definitely hits that mark.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Kat Stickler likes to keep her millions of followers guessing.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Choose a reason, such as pretending to be someone else.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
28 Oct. 2025
-
White, by contrast, is pretending to be one of America’s greatest musical icons, even doing his own singing.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
During the past decade, McGrath has brought her boundary-breaking makeup to the masses, employing color and democratizing a level of glamour only previously achieved by her legendary runway looks.—
Tracee Ellis Ross,
Glamour,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Drawing on more than a century of savoir faire while employing some of the best contemporary creatives in the business, Van Cleef & Arpels began creating a series of jaw-dropping modern automatons known as Extraordinary Objects in 2017.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
His playing has now come to be an omen of danger, so visitors who hear drums playing should be wary.—
Sophie Friedman,
AFAR Media,
22 Oct. 2025
-
The new real estate series sees the Scott twins help wary buyers grapple with commitment issues to possibly make the biggest purchase of their lives.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Meanwhile, individual coverage topped $9,300, on average, this year, up 5% – with employees shouldering $1,440 of the cost and employers paying the rest.—
Tami Luhby,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
-
By restricting access to safe and effective medical treatments like GLP-1s, policymakers are failing both patients who want to lead healthier lives and taxpayers who often end up shouldering the costs of preventable disease.—
Mario H. Lopez,
Boston Herald,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Its modest following often dismissed those posts as fakes, presuming the quartet staged spooky stuff for clicks.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Storage and safe transport back to Earth, presuming governments and markets decide that bringing helium-3 home is economical, adds further complexity.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Assuming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assuming. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share