postulate 1 of 2

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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postulate

2 of 2

verb

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
The reason, the authors of a new study postulate, has to do with light pollution. New Atlas, 21 Aug. 2025 Now, tangible results have emerged in a field replete with postulates and presumptions. Jenna Ahart, Quanta Magazine, 2 July 2025
Verb
That’s why Nobel Prize-winning chemist Christian Anfinsen postulated in 1972 that DNA alone should fully determine the final structure a protein takes. Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 28 Nov. 2025 Based on their findings, researchers postulate that Homo sapiens reacted better to lead exposure evolutionarily than Neanderthals, a species that were close relatives to Homo sapiens and that went extinct around 40,000 years ago. Mason Leath, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for postulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for postulate
Noun
  • Shor’s milestone result underscored the importance of quantum encryption methods that didn’t require assumptions about mathematical difficulty.
    Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 18 Mar. 2026
  • The approach aimed to support faster scenario evaluation, clearer tradeoffs, and greater alignment on organizational assumptions.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • As with most award shows, part of the fun is scrolling social media to see what other viewers are saying, checking out the memes being made and enjoying the highlights from the night.
    Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 16 Mar. 2026
  • In a recent interview with Time, Foundation co-founder Mike LeBlanc said the company deployed two Phantom Mk-I humanoid robots to Ukraine in February.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 16 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Researchers developed a new approach, the constant inner potential density functional theory, which enables the inclusion of the electrode potential in the simulation of semiconductor electrochemistry.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 15 Mar. 2026
  • In addition to being politically fraught, the plan would undoubtedly be the target of litigation under a variety of legal theories.
    Jon Coupal, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • José Francisco Pérez Mackenna took the oath as chancellor, while María Trinidad Steinert became the minister of security and Fernando Rabat assumed office as minister of justice and human rights.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Shortly afterward, however, Iran’s Assembly of Experts — the constitutional body responsible for selecting the supreme leader — announced that Mojtaba Khamenei would assume leadership of the Islamic Republic.
    Pegah Banihashemi, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Such failures provide a learning opportunity, a chance to reassess hypotheses and try again.
    Mariangela Lisanti, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
  • One hypothesis for why, Huang said, involves chronic inflammation — a long-term immune response linked to conditions such as metabolic liver disease, heart disease and diabetes.
    Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Federal investigators stress the charges remain allegations, and Ford is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
    CBS News Atlanta Digital Staff, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
  • People seem to presume certain characteristics about drivers of Mercedes, Audi, Cadillac and even Lincoln.
    Hartford Courant, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • It’s believed that this phenomenon could be utilized in future catalyst design and materials development.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Spoelstra and Heat players believed the five-second violation called on Larsson’s inbound pass was quick.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • No matter the cause—diabetes, high blood pressure, glomerulonephritis, autoimmune conditions, or something else—all kidney disease progresses over time, so scientists hypothesized that there must be common underlying processes.
    Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 17 Mar. 2026
  • The Higgs was first hypothesized in the 1960s.
    Mariangela Lisanti, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026

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“Postulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/postulate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.

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