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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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
Now, building on their previous research, the Curtin and Sheffield Hallam University scientists postulate that the movement of the altar stone may have involved a combination of human and glacial transport. — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 5 June 2026 There’s no point postulating a soul that might rise beyond the reach of artificial illumination, because the very vault of the Universe is inscribed with radiant diagrams. — Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for postulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for postulate
Noun
  • Given Abbey’s anxieties about spending money and fear of not having enough, Stacy plans to use very conservative assumptions for inflation, health costs and average returns when making her projections based on Abbey’s savings today.
    — Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
  • But researchers involved in the study challenged that assumption.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • After the premiere the other day, [Jones] says, ‘Thanks for paying attention to the character Waylon, because most people wouldn’t.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The company said its team can currently build a robot in about a day, with a target of reducing the process to roughly an hour next year.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Framing theory explains how the presentation of information in the media influences the way people process and interpret it.
    — Heather LaMarre, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
  • His theory didn’t reach far beyond Japan until the translation of his original essay, first in 1978, then in 2005, and again, with Mori’s approval, in 2012.
    — Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • But do not automatically assume the least expensive option is right for you.
    — Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Those numbers assume the S&P 500 returns more than 10% a year without interruption for 55 years.
    — Fernanda Tronco, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Fusion equations meet robotics In nuclear fusion research, Google worked with University of Maryland professor Matt Landreman to identify a broader class of counterexamples to Grad’s conjecture, a mathematical hypothesis dating to 1967.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
  • That hypothesis stems from earlier research by Geoff Cook, the CEO of Noom, a digital health company that is funding the Wharton study.
    — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
    — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Right now, there are zero Black performers in Gold Derby’s presumed top five in each acting category.
    — Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Alderman maintains that each of the defendants have continued to lie to protect themselves and believes there is evidence of satanic worship.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 13 Oct. 2026
  • His eldest son Théo Saujet worked on the scent Les Caves, inspired by the iconic Saint-Tropez night club Les Caves du Roy, which Thomas Saujet believes will be the most multigenerational of all the fragrances.
    — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • To illustrate, Kilaru hypothesized a women’s lacrosse player.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • This unique trait has led planetary scientists to hypothesize that the asteroid formed in the frigid outer solar system and migrated inward early in the solar system's history.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Postulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/postulate. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on postulate

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!