Definition of postulatenext
as in assumption
something taken as being true or factual and used as a starting point for a course of action or reasoning one of the postulates that the true agnostic rejects is the assumption that it is even possible for us to know whether God exists

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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 postulate
Noun
Euclid’s postulates for geometry; various schemes for standardizing arithmetic. Quanta Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026 That postulate would justify racial quotas or preferences to remedy racial discrimination uncorroborated by credible evidence. Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
In 1905, Einstein had postulated that the speed of light is constant in a vacuum and independent of the observer’s motion. Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 24 Apr. 2026 That has led some scientists to postulate that dark matter could be partially or wholly accounted for by primordial black holes. Robert Lea, Space.com, 10 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for postulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for postulate
Noun
  • Rethink old assumptions and embrace new possibilities when Uranus cooperates with Pluto.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 18 July 2026
  • Judging by the latest Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness, that seems a reasonable assumption.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 18 July 2026
Verb
  • Roecker said the phone and car returned to the same area on the night of May 8 and again on the afternoon of May 31.
    Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 24 July 2026
  • Lovell said police would treat an allegation like any other crime.
    Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 24 July 2026
Noun
  • This aligns with the theory from psychosomatic therapy that the hips, in particular, are the place in the human body where tension, stress, and trauma accumulate.
    Kelly Niesen, Glamour, 24 July 2026
  • The theory is that an expanding national debt may spark fears that the government is less creditworthy, and the Federal Reserve would then increase the money supply to reduce the value of the debt, therefore creating inflation.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 24 July 2026
Verb
  • But real estate insiders say the corporation also assumes risk by taking on a distressed asset.
    Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 19 July 2026
  • In their investigation of the incident, Virginia regulators alleged The Vero had failed to assume responsibility for the health, safety, and well-being of its residents.
    Jordan Rau, NPR, 19 July 2026
Noun
  • Purchase data confirmed a hypothesis that conventional epidemiology had to generate first, which is useful and which is a different job from finding the vendor.
    John Drake, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • For a long time, our leading hypothesis was bullying and violence, but that may be a bit impractical, given their kingdoms are vast networks of tunnels that can stretch for up to three kilometers.
    Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2026
Verb
  • Donath said that presumed innocuousness of the trend also helps people feel accustomed to having their faces and movements filmed.
    T.M. Brown, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • It’s even reached a point where many are simply presumed to be American.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 17 July 2026
Verb
  • Each side believes the land – and its past – belongs to them.
    Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
  • In addition to believing, plain and simple, that Shamea crossed the line with her Miss Diane tea, the newbies also seem frustrated by how much the feud is interfering with the group dynamic and the show’s levity.
    Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 20 July 2026
Verb
  • DePodesta hypothesized that playing catcher at altitude can potentially influence a hitter on offense, lending credence to the idea that his game might be more complete elsewhere.
    Sam Blum, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • While pinning down the exact reason why these states buck the trend is difficult, Hoell hypothesized the region’s unique summer monsoon rains could alleviate the risk.
    Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026

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“Postulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/postulate. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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